asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will introduce targets for increasing employment in the manufacturing industry to a level which is sufficiently high to prevent a further rise in unemployment; and if he will indicate his proposals in order to achieve this aim.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Employment.
75.
The Industrial Development Authority have established as a target for 1975 the approval of industrial projects with a new job potential of 23,000. This is the best target that can be achieved in the present difficult international climate for industrial investment.
The authority are also reviewing their regional industrial plans and the review will shortly be submitted to the Government. The review will make provision for the replacement of job losses and for the expansion of total manufacturing employment over the next five years.
Given an improvement in the economic climate in the second half of 1975, new jobs coming on stream should result in a net increase in jobs in manufacturing industry.
In view of the fact that the Industrial Development Authority are constantly putting forward these projects, could the Minister explain why no member of the Cabinet will put forward any project for any sphere, including this one, on behalf of the Government?
I cannot accept the inference in the Deputy's question.
The Minister for Finance said yesterday that he is not clairvoyant.