asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the number of industries in the north-east regional development area that have closed down since March, 1973; the number of industries in the area with workers on short time; the number of workers involved in each case; the names of the industries in each case; the total of IDA payments to these industries; and his Department's plans for restarting or replacing the industries affected.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - North-East Industries.
15.
There is no obligation on any industrial undertaking which either closes down or introduces short-time working, formally to advise my Department or the Industrial Development Authority of such developments. However, every effort is made by the Department and by the Industrial Development Authority to secure the fullest possible information, but the information available is not necessarily comprehensive.
Subject to the foregoing qualification, I understand from the Industrial Development Authority that they are aware of 27 firms in the north-east region which closed down since 1st January, 1973. The total employment in these firms, which exclude those with a maximum employment of less than ten people, was 1,539, and the total amount of grants paid by the Industrial Development Authority to these firms is £920,000. With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report a list showing the names of the firms in question and the years in which each closed.
As regards short-time working, I take it the question relates to firms which may at present be working short-time. The IDA are not aware of any firms in the region which are at present working short-time, but the qualification made at the outset has to be borne in mind.
As to plans for restarting or replacing the firms which have ceased operations I am informed that the Authority have negotiated replacement projects for ten of the firms referred to; these replacement projects have a full employment potential of 901. In the other cases the Authority are continuing their efforts to secure suitable replacement industries.
Following is the statement:
STATEMENT indicating the names of manufacturing firms which have closed down since January 1973 in the North-East Regional Development Area.
|
Closures |
Location |
Year closed |
|
Dundalk Bacon Co. Ltd. |
Dundalk |
1974 |
|
Queleq (Ireland) Ltd. |
Dundalk |
1976 |
|
Thermo Cups and Containers Ltd. |
Dundalk |
1976 |
|
Stellar Shoes Ltd. |
Dundalk |
1975 |
|
Soplaril (Ireland) Ltd. |
Dundalk |
1976 |
|
Morco Manufacturers Ltd. |
Monaghan and Drogheda |
1976 |
|
Greenmount & Boyne Linen Co. Ltd. |
Drogheda and Kingscourt |
1976 |
|
Irish Classics Separates Ltd. |
||
|
Irish Classic Ltd. |
Drogheda |
1975 |
|
Edward Donaghy & Son |
Drogheda |
1975 |
|
Hauni (Ireland) Ltd. |
Drogheda |
1976 |
|
Ardee Chair Factory Ltd. |
Ardee |
1974 |
|
Irish Fish Foods Ltd. |
Clogher Head |
1975 |
|
Smiths & Co. Ltd. |
Cavan |
1974 |
|
W.J. Furniture Ltd. |
Cavan |
1974 |
|
Camlin Textiles Ltd. |
Ballyjamesduff |
1973 |
|
Sheelin Fabrics Ltd. |
Ballyjamesduff |
1973 |
|
Irish Foundries Ltd. |
Bailleborough |
1976 |
|
Bailieborough Products Ltd. |
Bailieborough |
1976 |
|
Cloth Manufacturers |
Cootehill |
1973 |
|
Arva Clothing Co. Ltd. |
Arva |
1975 |
|
Virginia Leather Goods |
Virginia |
1975 |
|
Annagelliffe Co-Operative Creameries Ltd. |
Ballyhaise |
1974 |
|
Kilnaleck Co-Operative Agricultural and Dairy Society Ltd. |
Kilconnell |
1974 |
|
Writex Ltd. |
Monaghan |
1975 |
|
Breffni Textiles Ltd. |
Cavan |
1976 |
|
Surewayte Ltd. |
Carrickmacross |
1976 |
|
Stedfast Shoes Ltd. |
Carrickmacross |
1975 |
Could the Parliamentary Secretary say if the AZ factory in Cavan is on his list?
As having closed down?
Yes.
No.
It has.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say if the Auro Livers factory in Castleblanyey is on the list?
It is not on the list of the firms which closed down since January last. It would be better if Deputies were to examine the list as circulated with the Official Report and, if they wish to pose individual questions about omissions or inclusions, they can be dealt with specifically.
Would it be possible for the Parliamentary Secretary to read the short list, the list of ten?
What ten?
He mentioned ten firms with a total potential employment of 901 which were being reactivated.
The information sought by the Deputy is not on the file, but if he would put down a separate question in that regard I shall obtain the information for him.
Question No. 16.
One final supplementary—would the Parliamentary Secretary draw the attention of the Minister and of the IDA to the fact that since the average percentage of people employed in agriculture in the whole country is in the lower twenties whereas in counties Cavan and Monaghan the percentage is about 21 per cent, there is considerable under-employment in the agricultural industry? Therefore, would the Parliamentary Secretary request that special attention be given to the development of agriculture in those areas?
I accept that there is a high percentage of people employed in agriculture in the counties in question and that this creates problems. It should be said also that the north-eastern region has suffered severely in the recession. That region and the eastern region are the ones that have suffered most. There are problems with which both the Minister and the IDA are concerned.