asked the Minister for Labour the number of people made redundant in Droichead Nua, County Kildare, since 1st April, 1973; and the number of new jobs created in that town during the same period.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Droichead Nua Employment.
10.
The number of people made redundant in Droichead Nua since 1st April, 1973, and who qualified for payments under the redundancy payments scheme was approximately 330.
The IDA are our main job creation agency, which operate under the Department of Industry and Commerce.
Does the Minister feel he has a duty to ensure that the demand for labour will equal the supply each year? Does he not feel that the huge dole queues in Newbridge is an indication that he is falling down on the job?
Nobody likes dole queues. As it relates to my own responsibilities, we have a placement office working in Newbridge which was set up there in 1974. Since it was established in 1974, 590 people have been placed in jobs. Admittedly the great majority of those jobs were not in Newbridge itself but were in areas adjoining, notably Kildare town, where the Black and Decker enterprise provided 150 new jobs. As the Deputy knows, the prospects there are for 1,000 jobs in the next year.
What percentage of the total work force in Newbridge would the 330 represent?
I do not have that figure.
Black and Decker will drill holes in the economy.