asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the continuing decline in population in the west of Ireland; and what steps are being taken to provide increased employment in industry, as a means of changing the situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Western Industrial Employment.
40.
The latest statistics available show that the decline in population of the western counties in the five years to 1966 was almost 16,000 less than in the preceding five-year period.
The Government continue to provide valuable incentives to industrialists to establish their projects in these areas. A measure of the success of this policy is provided by the fact that of 108 new projects or extensions of existing projects which were announced during 1970 about 50 per cent are to be set up in the designated areas.
The Minister stated that the decline in population in the western counties in the five years to 1966 was almost 16,000 less than in the preceding five-year period. Can the Minister tell us the emigration figures for the period in question, rather than stating it was less than in the preceding period?
The figures for what area?
Can the Minister state the actual figures?
The figures show that in regard to the population of the seven counties on the western seaboard there was a decline of 23,597 between 1961 and 1966.
One of these days there will not be any more emigration because there will be nobody left.
The Minister should give us the figures and we will do any subtraction necessary.
Figures have not been asked for. That is a separate question. I am calling Question No. 41.