asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the unemployment figures for County Meath for the years 1977 and 1978; and the plans, if any, to reduce unemployment in County Meath.
197.
Written Answers. - Meath Unemployed.
192.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the plans, if any, he or the IDA have to reduce unemployment in County Meath by the creation of new jobs.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 192 and 197 together.
The total number of persons registering as unemployed in County Meath in 1977 and 1978 were as follows: 29 December 1978, 1,065; 30 December 1977, 1,377.
During the years 1977 and 1978 the Industrial Development Authority approved a total of 58 projects in County Meath for grant assistance which have a combined job potential in excess of 700 at full production. The new IDA Industrial Plan, which will be published shortly, will contain targets for the creation of further jobs in the county in the period to 1982.
The IDA will continue to actively promote County Meath for new industry and are prepared to assist, with their full range of incentives, any suitable industrial project proposed for location there.
The authority own industrial land in Kells, Oldcastle, Trim and Ashbourne and has recently announced plans to build a 40,000 sq. ft. advance factory in Navan. These developments will undoubtedly contribute to accelerated industrial development in the county.