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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Jan 1994

Vol. 437 No. 6

Written Answers. - Departmental Guidelines on Labour Intensive Industry.

Pat Cox

Question:

149 Mr. Cox asked the Minister for Finance the guidelines that would be followed by his Department in defining what constitutes a labour intensive industry.

Pat Cox

Question:

150 Mr. Cox asked the Minister for Finance the cost of halving employers PRSI for labour intensive industry in gross and net terms from 6 April, 1994 to 31 December, 1994, and in a full year.

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 149 and 150 together.

In general terms the labour intensity of any sector refers to labour costs in that sector expressed as a proportion of turnover. The concept is a relative one; thus, it is possible to say that one sector is more labour intensive than another. However, there are no guidelines which would enable me to define labour intensity other than on an arbitrary basis. Accordingly, I do not think it appropriate to select any particular figure as being the dividing line between labour intensive and non-labour intensive industry. I am not, therefore, in a position to answer the second question asked by the Deputy.

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