asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism if he is aware of the very unsatisfactory level of unemployment in Waterford city and county; and if he will outline the steps that he, the Industrial Development Authority and other state agencies are taking to bring industries, including tertiary industries, to Waterford city and county.
Written Answers. - Waterford Unemployment.
320.
I am very concerned about the current level of unemployment in Waterford city and county.
I am informed by the Industrial Development Authority, which is paying special attention to the Waterford area, that it has approved more than 6,600 new grant-aided jobs for the area since January 1978. On current trends it is likely that the Authority will exceed the job creation targets set for Waterford city and county in its industrial plan 1978-82. Major new industries announced during the year include an American company, Bausch and Lomb Incorporated, which is expected to employ over 600 by 1983, and a German company, Heinz Finzer, which expects to employ over 600 person within the next five years. The Authority has provided 1½ million sq. ft. of advance factory space in Waterford and, in addition, has over 620 acres of land available for further industrial development. I am informed that the Authority is giving active consideration to the construction of further advance factory space in the Waterford area under the next phase of its factory programme.