asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (1) how many of the 100 new factories stated by him in the Dáil on 24th May last to have been established during the last two years, have been established in (a) each of the urban areas possessing powers of local government, and (b) each of the county health districts; (2) the nature of the articles manufactured or the work carried on in each such area or district; (3) the number of such new factories established in each such district in each manufacturing group; and (4) the total employment thus given in each manufacturing group in each district.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Situation of New Factories.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (1) how many of the 300 smaller factories or workshops stated by him in the Dáil on 24th May last to have been established during the last two years, have been established in (a) each of the urban areas possessing powers of local government, and (b) each of the county health districts; (2) the nature of the articles manufactured or the work carried on in each such area or district; (3) the number of such factories or workshops established in each such district in each manufacturing group; and (4) the total employment thus given in each manufacturing group in each district.
I will answer both questions together. The preparation of the returns giving the detailed information asked for would involve an amount of time and trouble, which, in view of the present pressure of work in the Department, would be unwarranted. Moreover, as indicated to the Deputy on the 14th February, 1934, the normal sources of statistical information relating to industrial undertakings are the census of production returns published by the Department.
Are we to understand from the Minister that, as a result of what he calls "big industrial development" here, 100 new factories have been set up, and that he is not able, or is not prepared, to tell the House or the country where the 100 factories are?
I have nothing to add to the previous replies.
Would not a clerical officer engaged for, say, an hour, list the places where these factories are situate, if anything is known of them in the Department of Industry and Commerce, and will the Minister say why an hour's work cannot be given to scheduling the 100 factories, stating where they are and what things are manufactured in them?
Order of business.
I should like to ask, considering the enormous amount of money voted for the Department of Industry and Commerce, what the money is being spent on if it cannot be spent on the work indicated in this question?