asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has received representations dated 3rd July, 1968, from Tullamore Urban District Council expressing serious concern at the increasing unemployment situation and explaining that there has been a reduction of 700 employees in the town in the past ten years and that it is expected that a further 40 persons will lose their employment because of the closing of the local malting industry; if he is aware that the council is at present engaged in an effort to acquire land suitable as an industrial site; if he will receive a deputation from the council to discuss what immediate action can be taken with a view to attracting a worthwhile industry to the town; and if he will make a general statement on the position.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Tullamore Unemployed Situation.
I received and have under consideration the representations referred to by the Deputy. The Government have provided valuable facilities to encourage the establishment and development of industries in all areas. It is for private enterprise to take advantage of these facilities and local interests should do their utmost to encourage private enterprise to set up industries in their own areas.
The Deputy may take it that any sound proposals by local or other interests for the establishment of industries in Tullamore will receive most sympathetic consideration by the Industrial Development Authority and by me personally.
May I ask the Minister if he takes a very serious view of the situation in Tullamore? This was a very progressive town but the figures revealed recently show an alarming decrease in employment; there are 700 fewer people employed in Tullamore today than there were ten years ago. The position will further be aggravated by the fact that 40 more people will lose their employment as a result of the closing of the local maltings. Steps should be taken to see that the workers displaced as a result of the closing of the maltings will be employed and some effort will have to be made to stop the growing unemployment in the Tullamore area. Some effort should be made by the Minister's Department and by the Industrial Development Authority to ensure that employment will be provided in this area in order to check the continuous decay which exists in Tullamore at the moment. The Tullamore district seems to be the worst in the Midlands at the moment.
What happened to Tullamore Dew?
We left that for the Deputy to drink after the beet growers' election.
If the recommendations of the consultant committee on the health services are brought to fruition, a new 300-bed hospital for Tullamore will greatly ease the situation.
That was one of the most welcome bits of news we heard in Tullamore. I made a strong recommendation on that myself and I am very pleased it has borne fruit. I would prefer to see the hospital in Tullamore than anywhere else in Ireland. I ask the Minister to ask his colleague, the Minister for Industry and Commerce, to consider sympathetically between now and the reassembly of the Dáil meeting the members of the urban district council because they are very perturbed and alarmed about the continuing decay in the whole economic fabric of Tullamore. I think that is a reasonable request.
I shall convey the Deputy's request to the Minister.