asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the number of new industrial projects which (a) have been initiated since June, 1954, (b) have started production since June, 1954, and (c) it is anticipated will start production in the course of 1956.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - New Industrial Projects.
The number of industrial proposals which have come to my notice in the period since 1st June, 1954, is 393. The number of new industries and extensions to existing undertakings which came to my notice as having commenced production in the same period is 144. There may of course, be others of which there is no official record to date.
As regards (c) of the question, experience shows that proposals go through many stages between the points of initiation and production, and I think it would be unwise to attempt to forecast the figure asked for by the Deputy.