asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the total number of persons employed in the food industry at (a) 1 October 1985 (b) 1 October 1986 (c) 1 October 1987; the projected numbers expected to be employed in the industry at 1 October, 1988; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Food Industry Employment.
119.
The CSO statistics of employment in the food industry for the dates in question are as follows: 1 October 1985, 39,800; 1 October 1986, 39,600; 1 October 1987, 39,300 (estimated).
While the overall trend in employment has shown a decline in recent years, it is expected that the substantial investment programmes announced for certain sectors of the food industry will result in increased employment opportunities. It is not possible, at this stage, to say precisely what aggregate numbers will be employed in the industry in October 1988.