asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the length of time the recently closed factory in Tuamgraney, County Clare was in production; and the amount of grant which was paid to the company when in operation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clare Factory.
13.
I understand that production in the factory referred to, which is a demountable one, commenced on 29th July, 1974 and ceased on 7th February, 1975.
No grant assistance was paid to the company by the Industrial Development Authority.
When I submitted the question I asked regarding the site and the cost of building the factory. Would the Parliamentary Secretary be able to tell me what they were and also what arrangements were made for alternative employment for the female labour who were there? That question has not appeared here.
It does not appear on the Order Paper and I have not got the information in the reply. I can tell the Deputy that the people involved in this, I understand, were the Clare County Council with the assistance of the special regional fund administered by the Department of Finance. As I said the Industrial Development Authority, for which my Department are directly responsible, did not give a grant in this case.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary tell me how much money was involved altogether in the purchase of the site, the building of the factory and what money was invested in the factory?
I have some information here but I am not sure if I am at liberty to give it in relation to the cost of the site. I can tell the Deputy that SFADCO, working with the National Manpower Service and the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union, have arranged employment in Ennis for 29 of the 30 personnel who became redundant. Eighteen have accepted this alternative employment and transport has been arranged for 16 of them. Nine workers refused alternative employment for personal reasons and two because transport was not arranged. I am sorry I cannot give the Deputy the information which he referred to but I will check out if it is information which I can make available to him afterwards and if he wishes I will give it to him.
What efforts are being made to find employment for the people from that factory? The Parliamentary Secretary says that transport has been arranged to Ennis. I know that. They are accepting that temporarily. It is quite a journey.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the site was purchased from the Irish Land Commission? Could he not tell us what the site cost?
I answered that question for Dr. Loughnane already.