asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the urgent need for new industries in Limerick city; and, if so, whether his Department propose to take any special steps to encourage the establishment of new industries there.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Industries.
36.
Limerick city, in common with other parts of the country, already has available to it generous incentives which have been provided by the Government in the interest of stimulating new and expanded industrial activities. It is for private industry to take advantage of these facilities and the Deputy may rest assured that any sound proposals for the establishment of industries in Limerick will be afforded all the assistance within my power.
As I have already announced County Limerick is one of the areas included in the pilot scheme for small industries.
Is the Minister aware that there has been an almost complete lack of industrial development in Limerick city over the past ten years? Except in the case of one or two minor industries, there has been no major industrial expansion. In recent weeks, there has been considerable redundancy caused by the closure of one or two old-established industries. The industrial employment situation there is very serious. Could the Minister give any reason as to why a city such as Limerick, which has every facility for industry, has not succeeded in attracting any industries in recent years?
I think the Deputy is mistaken in his assessment of new industries coming to Limerick in recent years. In fact at least five new industries have been set up in Limerick since 1959. The Deputy is also aware of the proximity of Limerick city to Shannon Airport. There are many other parts of the country which envy Limerick for this facility available to it in the way of employment. Having said that, I want to make it clear that I welcome any further industrial development in Limerick. As to the final part of the Deputy's supplementary as to why Limerick has not done more than it has to attract new industries, I would not like to hazard an opinion at this stage.
Could the Minister suggest what steps might be taken locally and what assistance his Department would be prepared to provide to encourage the promotion of industries in Limerick? Further arising out of what the Minister said, I do not accept what he said regarding Limerick's proximity to Shannon and the attraction of new industries.
That is an argument.
Would the Minister now consider examining the possibility of having Limerick city and Shannon Airport brought in under the one authority as a development area?
That is a separate question entirely.
The Deputy is not correct in implying that Limerick city has been deprived of new industries.
I did not say that.
I took this from what the Deputy said.
It seems to suggest some disadvantages.
As to what steps might be taken locally, there are many areas in the country which have taken active steps to promote industrial development. The Industrial Development Authority have been quite helpful to those groups in their efforts. Any group in Limerick which are concerned with this matter, if they have not already done so, should get in touch with the Authority who will give them every possible assistance in this regard.