asked the Minister for Finance if the Government have prepared, in consultation with national economic interests, an emergency programme to attempt to offset the anticipated serious downturn in tourism and industrial investment arising from the current serious political situation in Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tourism and Industrial Development.
36.
In October last the Government took action designed to increase economic growth and safeguard employment. The measures included the allocation of an extra £20 million for capital spending in the present financial year over a wide area of investment, in particular in industry, agriculture and housing. In addition, in order to facilitate further investment in industry, a reduction in the level of company taxation was announced.
Subsequently, the Government's future investment plans were reviewed and, as a result, last month the Taoiseach announced that the public capital programme for next year had been fixed at a level some £20 million more than the higher revised figure for the current year. The increased provision for next year will give a further stimulus to a range of investment programmes including that for industry. Included in both the measures for the current year and those for next year are substantial capital sums designed to benefit the tourist industry in addition to the generous grants made available annually to Bord Fáilte for the promotion of tourism.
I would refer the Deputy to the Taoiseach's statement of 19th January, 1972, in this House for details of these and other measures taken which are designed to step up economic growth, enhance industrial investment and tackle the problem of redundancies.
I can assure the Deputy that the economic situation is being kept under continuing review and that should the need arise any further necessary steps will be taken by the Government.
Could the Minister say if any of the proposals made in the Taoiseach's statement have been put into operation or if extra employment has been produced as a result of those proposals?
I can certainly say that some of them have been put into operation. At this stage I cannot say offhand what employment has been created by them.
Is the Minister aware that local authorities say that they have not received any notification in regard to employment-giving jobs and that the Forestry Division and the Board of Works say that they have got no intimation that they may employ extra workers as a result of these proposals? I have a question down for next week. Perhaps I shall leave the matter until then.