asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the advance factories planned by the IDA for East Mayo; and their location.
423.
Written Answers. - Mayo Industrial Development.
422.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the area of unoccupied factory space in east Mayo; its location; and the plans the IDA have to occupy it.
424.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the IDA's plans for industrial development in east Mayo, particularly the Ballina area; and the projected employment prospects.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 422, 423 and 424 together.
In its industrial Plan 1977-1980, published in April 1978, the Industrial Development Authority set a total job creation target of 1,250 over this four-year period in grant-aided industry for three town groupings, which embrace all the towns in east Mayo.
I am informed by the IDA that manufacturing employment in Ballina and the east Mayo region as a whole has increased considerably over the last five years. Additional employment is expected to arise in Ballina, Ballyhaunis, Killala and Swinford from the expansion of existing enterprises.
I have recently announced that the IDA intend to build a 24,000 square foot advance factory at Kiltimagh. In addition, the authority are at present considering the construction of an advance factory at Charlestown. The authority are also negotiating for the purchase of a suitable site for further industrial development at Foxford.
At present the only vacant IDA advance factory in east Mayo is at Ballina. The IDA is actively promoting this factory and the authority's 8.4 acre site in the town for suitable industries.