asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will indicate in respect of men who lost unemployment assistance under the recent employment period order what proposals there are to provide employment for them in the following areas of County Leitrim: Dromahair, Manorhamilton, Ballinamore and Carrick-on-Shannon.
Questions—Ceisteanna. Oral Answers. - County Leitrim Employment.
26.
I am aware of the employment position in the areas to which the Deputy refers. The Industrial Development Authority are taking all possible steps towards the attraction of industry to these areas. The authority's first five-year regional industrial plans, which are expected to be issued before the end of this year, will contain industrial development proposals for each region, including the Sligo/Leitrim region. The first instalment of advance factories for which provision will be made in the plans is contained in the authority's interim advance factory programme concerning which an announcement has just been made. This programme provides for the construction of three advance factories in the Sligo/ Leitrim region, all of which will be located in County Leitrim.
We welcome that news but is the Minister aware that those people are expecting immediate employment? We have been told that nobody would be without employment and now that the dole has been withdrawn from these people what are we to say to them when they come to us asking about the prospects of employment?
The Deputy will appreciate——
We appreciate 40 years of Fianna Fáil Government after which time we are still talking about advanced factories.
The people cannot live on promises.
Deputies are aware that many factories have been built in this country. There is a lot of publicity given to the closing of a factory but there is very little publicity when one is opened.
(Interruptions.)
I am concerned about the people who are coming to us and asking if there is any hope of employment with the county council or elsewhere.
It is because of the Government's concern for that type of person that the IDA were in a position to announce early this week the provision of three advance factories for the Leitrim area.
Yes, but for how long must people wait?
We cannot discuss this matter all evening.
It is a very important matter.
It is but so are the other matters still to be dealt with.
The Minister should not mislead the House. Surely he is aware that there is less money for roadworkers, less money for workers in the Land Commission, less money for Inland Fisheries and less money for drainage? Where are those people to get work between now and the building of the advance factories? Is it a question for them of to hell or to England? If the Minister is fat and full these people are not.
Speeches are out of order.
I am sorry that the Deputy should have chosen to become personal about this. After all, I stayed for longer than he did at the match at Croke Park, fat as I am.
I stayed for the full hour even though Deputy Meaney buried me in the ground a few times.