asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the concern of the workers in an industry (name supplied) in Kenmare, County Kerry for their future, in view of the fact that this industry is now on a three-day week; the proposals, if any, he has to rectify the situation; and the present position regarding any proposed new industrial development for the Kenmare area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kerry Industry.
28.
I understand from the Industrial Development Authority that 24 of this company's 70 employees are at present working a three-day week and that some more workers are expected to be put on short-time working in the next few weeks.
I am informed that the main reason for this short-time working is a downturn in the market for the company's exports in addition to a temporary fall off in demand which normally takes place at this time of year. The company have indicated, however, that they expect to be able to resume full-time working towards the end of July.
Though I understand that there are no proposals for Kenmare before them at present I am assured that the IDA are prepared to support with their range of incentives any projects proposed by local or incoming industrialists for Kenmare.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that one of the primary reasons given for the fact that employees in this industry are now on a three-day week is the complete failure of the Government to curb inflation and that the management of this industry cannot compete with their British counterparts within the EEC market?
As I am sure the Deputy is aware, not all the workers are on a three-day week. Twenty-four out of a total work force of 70 are the only people that are on a three-day week. There are particular problems at this time of the year which I gather the company do not anticipate will continue for the whole year. As the Deputy is aware, this company are engaged in producing bags which are used in the distribution of vegetables and because it is anticipated that more fresh vegetables will be sold loose, the demand is not as high at this time of the year for this type of bag. That is a large part of the problem in relation to this industry.
The Parliamentary Secretary appears completely to have misunderstood my question. My question is: is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the primary reason given for the fact that the number of employees in this industry has dropped and that a large number of employees are now on a three-day week is the failure of the Government to curtail inflation——
The Deputy is indulging in repetition.
——and that this industry is not now competitive with similar industries in Britain and the other EEC countries?
One of the reasons given by the company, apart from the seasonal reason I gave and a recession in demand for those products in the United Kingdom to which they export most of their products, has been the fact that rising labour costs make it difficult for the company to compete with similar companies abroad, and that is one of the factors.
Is the——
Next question.
One final supplementary.
Deputy O'Leary will have to learn to obey the Chair at some stage.
A final supplementary. Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the people in the whole Kenmare district have been promised an industry during the past two or three years by the Government, that a site was purchased for an industry by the IDA, and that the latest information as regards that site was that it was offered to the Kerry County Council——
The Deputy is indulging in a speech.
——as a suitable site for a burial ground? Would the Parliamentary Secretary have any comment on that?
I am not aware that is the case. I gather the IDA are promoting industry in the Kenmare area and, in fact, they gave a grant of over £12,000 to the Eugen Dahm, Ltd. firm earlier this year.