asked the Minister for Labour if his attention has been drawn to the lack of job opportunity in the Derrybrien area of County Galway and the action he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Derrybrien (Galway) Job Opportunities.
21.
In my reply to a similar question on 21 February 1979, I referred to the attraction by the IDA of a number of new industrial projects to Loughrea, which is eight miles from Derrybrien. The companies involved have already recruited a number of workers and the level of manufacturing employment in Loughrea has in fact more than doubled between January 1979 and January 1980. The companies concerned are expected to provide a further 200 jobs when they reach full production.
I understand that the number of persons from the Derrybrien area on the Live Register declined from 32 to 26 over the past year.
I would like to repeat my advice of a year ago to the Deputy and ask him to advise those who are at present unemployed in the area to contact the National Manpower Office in Galway where they will be given every assistance in their efforts to find suitable employment.
The Minister referred to two industries in Loughrea. It might be information to tell him——
Will the Deputy please ask a question. It is not in order to make statements at Question Time.
Many statements have been made here today. There was no industry in Loughrea up to two years ago and there are two industries now thanks to the present Government. So far as Derrybrien is concerned, I understand the Forestry Department——
Are we going to proceed at Question Time in this way? Statements are being made one after another. Perhaps the Chair would deal with the matter.
Yes, and I ask for the co-operation of the Deputy also. The Chair will have to take stern action with regard to the abuse of Question Time. It is not in order to make statements instead of asking supplementary questions.
Deputy Callanan was correct in what he said. The present employment figure in Loughrea is 260. This is a much higher figure than was the case before and it compares more than favourably with the situation existing in the mid-1970s.
What was so special about the Mid-1970s?
There was a Coalition Government in office and what a disaster that was.
There were no industries in Loughrea up to two years ago.