asked the Taoiseach if he is aware of the continuing decline in population along the western seaboard; and what steps he proposes to take to provide employment for the people there.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Western Seaboard Population.
1.
The Third Programme for Economic and Social Development sets out, in Chapter 14, the special measures initiated by the Government for western development — based on more intensive farming in economic units and the development of non-farm sources of employment in industry, tourism, forestry and fishing. With the aid of the special regional development fund a significant amount of employment and income has been guaranteed in worthwhile economic projects which could not be helped otherwise. Commitments from the fund, which exceed £1 million to date, include the provision of assistance to small farmer and handcraft cooperatives, local airports, miscellaneous tourist projects and small fishing harbours. As part of the plan — announced in the Budget — to attract industrial projects suitable for location in the smaller western towns, a programme is being worked out to provide prefabricated buildings for small local industries in their early stages.
The wide variety of measures which constitute the Government's agricultural policy, and which are expanded as circumstances demand, make special provision for smaller farmers.
In the current volume of Estimates for Public Services, there is an increase of over 50 per cent in the total provisions for improvement schemes in the Gaeltacht and capital expenditure by Gaeltarra Éireann. The industries for which Gaeltarra Éireann has authorised financial assistance in the past few years are expected to provide wholetime employment for over 1,000 workers when in full operation. The Industrial Development Authority, in their industrial grants scheme, apply a differential — 60 per cent of fixed assets as against 45 per cent elsewhere — in favour of designated areas which include the counties on the western seaboard.
Of the total of 147 new hotels opened in the country in the past five years, 89 were located in the 13 western counties, involving an estimated employment content of 3,000 persons. Nine resorts and areas, on or adjacent to the western seaboard, have been selected by Bord Fáilte for development under the major resort development scheme whereby grants are given towards development work subject to a minimum local contribution of 20 per cent.