asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the plans, if any, he has to make a priority industrial promotion area of County Limerick and in particular the industrial estate in Newcastle West, taking into account the fact that there were 2,213 people on the live register at the Newcastle West employment exchange on 27 March 1987, and the fact that large sums of money have been expended by Limerick County Council, SFADCo and the Industrial Development Authority in developing advance industrial installations.
Written Answers. - Priority Industrial Promotion.
41.
I have no plans to make either County Limerick or the industrial estate in Newcastle West a priority area for industrial promotion. However, I am informed by both the Industrial Development Authority and Shannon Development that they are doing their utmost to promote industrial development in Country Limerick generally, including Newcastle West. With regard to the latter, I understand the SFADCo are refurbishing three vacant advance factories in Newcastle West, in order to make them more attractive to overseas and indigenous industry. These are being promoted by the IDA for suitable large industry projects. Shannon Development who are intensifying their small indigenous industry programme throughout County Limerick have two enterprise centres in Newcastle West. These centres consist of a number of small industrial units. Many of these units are currently occupied and the remainder are being promoted by SFADCo in some instances in conjunction with the Newcastle West Employment Action Group for small industry projects.