I am grateful for the opportunity to make a special plea in the House this evening. I want to talk about a small rural village in the Slievefelim hills which was designated as severely handicapped in the EU schemes in the early 1980s but which is now facing an enormous crisis. A small saw milling industry was set up in the village which until recently employed 55 people, thirty of them were informed last week that their employment would terminate because of difficulties being faced by the industry.
This small industry produces wages of £8,500 per week, has a turnover of £50,000 and has purchased £3.3 million worth of timber from Coillte since 1993. It takes the timber products from Upperchurch in Kilcommin, Rear Cross, Hollyford, Rossmore and all the surrounding areas and it is the only forestry enterprise for a very long distance.
Job losses are merely statistics when they are written down on paper but in reality they affect individuals and families. Loans cannot be repaid and problems experienced by children in school cannot be addressed. I appeal to the Minister of State for some changes in the way job creation agencies operate to ensure this industry will survive.
The challenges of new technology are facing this industry. There is not a great deal of money involved. This village has virtually no chance of a replacement industry. The Hollyford district is not far from Tipperary town, already decimated by recent job losses. The Minister of State is aware that the prospects for many people living in this area of getting any kind of alternative employment are nil.
This problem will not be solved unless the employment creation agencies are directed to give small grants to fledgling saw milling industries of this kind when they experience difficulties. It will be necessary to cut out the red tape that can strangle small developments of this kind.
I have been a Member of this House for a long time and I do not have any desire to politicise this matter. I merely want to help this industry survive and I ask the Minister of State to do whatever is necessary to hold on to an industry that is precious to so many people who struggle to survive in the midst of depopulation and agricultural crises. These people are a long distance from universities, hospitals and schools and they are waiting for some sign of hope that this industry will be rescued. This should not be a deserted village. It is a small place which has survived many struggles. I appeal to the agencies of the State to remove their cold hands from the levers which tighten the belts around these areas and help this industry to survive.