Vol. 456 No. 1
161 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the number of job losses in the area of Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, arising from the closures of local industries such as Helly Hansen, Bee Line, Babygrow, Laura Ashley and Memorex. [13382/95]
There are no official published figures available for job losses. However, unofficial data available from the State agencies relating to grant aided companies shows that approximately 1,730 jobs were lost in the Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 area since 1988. It should be noted, however, that IDA-Forbairt data shows that approximately 1,785 jobs were created in the area over the same period. I also point out that the number of people on the live register has remained relatively constant in the area and official figures show that the numbers actually decreased from 4,003 to 3,871 between August 1992 and August 1995.
Recognising the scale of the importance of the Dublin region and its large share of the national employment in the manufacturing and international service sectors, Forbairt recently established a regional office for Dublin. As part of this development, Forbairt has appointed an area manager whose specific responsibility includes Ballyfermot.
This office is currently engaged in developing a five year development strategy to address, in so far as it falls within Forbairt's remit, the employment creation needs of the region. Local interest groups both community and business have been invited to participate in this process.
