asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the number of jobs created by the IDA in the Cahirciveen area of County Kerry in their 1978 to 1982 programme, having regard to the fact that the IDA target over this period was 400 jobs.
Written Answers. - Job Creation.
962.
On 1 January 1978, a total of 190 persons were employed in IDA grant-aided industry in the Cahirciveen area. Between 1980 and 1982 the level of employment in these firms declined significantly and three of the more important firms have since closed.
In the period 1978-82 the IDA approved projects for Cahirciveen with a total potential of 114 jobs of which nine jobs have been created to date.
963.
asked the Minister for Industry and Energy if, in view of the fact that Buttevant, County Cork, has lost all its industrial jobs in the past year as a result of the closure of Buttevant Concrete Products Ltd., he will arrange with the IDA to have the area listed as an area requiring urgent attention in the matter of providing alternative employment.
964.
asked the Minister for Industry and Energy if he will arrange to have Buttevant, County Cork, designated for the higher rate of IDA grants for industrial purposes.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 963 and 964 together.
I share the Deputy's concern regarding the urgent need to provide an alternative industry for Buttevant because of the closure last year of Buttevant Concrete.
I am satisfied that the approach now being pursued by the Industrial Development Authority, which entails the flexible use of its full range of incentives, is the most appropriate and effective means of securing new industry for Buttevant. In addition to the promotion of the IDA's existing five acre site in the town every effort is being made to attract industrial tenants to the proposed advance factories in nearby Mallow and Charleville. In these circumstances I do not propose to designate the area for the higher rate of IDA grants.
Question No. 965 postponed.
966.
asked the Minister for Industry and Energy if he will give the following details for each year since 1973 (i) the amounts given by the Exchequer to the IDA; (ii) the number of jobs created as a result of IDA activity; and (iii) growth in total non-agricultural employment.
Financial issues from my Department to the Industrial Development Authority are published each year in the Appropriation Account. The latest published account relates to the year 1980. The issues for 1981 are as follows: 11 — Administration and General Expenses, £12,359,000; 12 — Capital Expenditure, £190,050,000; 13 — Grant for Industrial Housing, £643,300.
With regard to part 2 of the Deputy's question, I am informed by the Industrial Development Authority that it has estimated that between 1973, when it commenced its annual manufacturing employment survey, and 1981, 71,000 jobs which still exist were created in IDA assisted new industry and small industry.
As the Deputy is aware, the Central Statistics Office is responsible for the collection and publication of official employment statistics.