asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the plans the IDA have for the industrial development of County Mayo in 1983; the number and location of existing unoccupied factories; the proposals for advance factory building this year in the county; and the prospects of attracting much needed employment opportunities to the county.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Mayo Industrial Development .
17.
: In their Industrial Plan 1978-1982, the Industrial Development Authority set a target for the creation of 3,250 jobs in County Mayo. The IDA succeeded in creating 1,772 first time jobs or 55 per cent of the target. Some jobs arising from industrial projects approved by the IDA for the county in recent years have yet to come on stream.
I propose to circulate details of the IDA's vacant factory space and land holdings in the county in the form of a tabular statement. Due to the amount of factory space available for industrial development, the IDA have no plans to construct additional advance factories in County Mayo at present. The IDA propose, however, to begin construction of a 4 × 1,000 sq. ft. craft centre at Knock later in the year subject to completion of the acquisition of a site.
Following is the statement:
IDA FACILITIES
|
Co. MayoBallina |
26,000 sq. ft.25,600 sq. ft.(Private Finance)3,000 sq. ft.17.1 acres |
|
Ballinrobe |
20,000 sq. ft.(Private Finance)21 acres |
|
Ballyhaunis |
20,000 sq. ft.2.1 acres |
|
Bangor Erris |
5,300 sq. ft.12 acres |
|
Castlebar |
27,400 sq. ft.16 acres |
|
Charlestown |
11,600 sq. ft. |
|
Foxford |
8,000 sq. ft.2.6 acres |
|
Kiltimagh |
25,800 sq. ft. |
|
Westport |
21,800 sq. ft.2 × 3,300 sq. ft.35 acres |
|
Louisburg |
2.8 acres |
|
Newport |
7.15 acres |
|
Claremorris |
1.08 acres |
|
Swinford |
2 acres |
|
Achill |
2.67 acres |
|
Crossmolina |
5 acres |
: Could the Minister indicate how many potential investors were directed to County Mayo as a suitable location for investment last year?
: I have not got that information. I will be glad to communicate it to the Deputy.
: The Minister mentioned that he hoped certain investments would come on stream in the near future. Perhaps he could indicate what ones he was referring to.
: That would relate to grant approvals for new industries. The actual achievement of job creation has not yet been attained, but we expect to achieve it over the next few months.
: Would the Minister agree that 52 per cent of the target as outlined in the 1978-82 programme would not be regarded as a very realistic figure for job creation in County Mayo?
: The Deputy should be very much aware of developments in County Mayo. He was a member of the Government during most of that period.
: I am not as concerned about the period when I was in office as I am about the period for which the Minister is responsible. I should like to draw to his attention the fact that it is not regarded as adequate that the 1978-82 target was reached to the tune of 52 per cent only. Would he agree that that is not a satisfactory figure for County Mayo considering the population imbalance there and the huge unemployment figure in that county? Would the Minister agree with that?
: I agree it is very desirable that all the job targets set by the IDA in their industrial plans should be reached. I must remind the Deputy that he was a Minister during most of the period from 1978 to 1982.
: It is the Minister's job now.
: He might ask his own colleagues what they were doing during that period which caused these targets not to have been met.
: I want to point out to the Minister——
: This is the fifth supplementary and the last on this question.
: ——that during the period when I was Minister with responsibility in that regard, quite a number of worth-while projects were started in the county. The Minister and his colleagues——
: We cannot have a debate at this stage.
: ——are doing their damndest to close them down. If no capital allocation is being made this year to further a programme for industrial development in the county, this suggests that there is quite a lot of unoccupied space in the county, and what does the Minister propose to do to fill that space?
: I suggest that the Deputy should now fill his seat.
: From 1977 to 1981 the Government did untold economic harm which damaged the climate for industrial development. This Government will ensure that the climate for industrial investment is restored and we will do so during the life of this Dáil.
: I want to ask——
: No, I am sorry, Deputy.
: I want to ask you a question, a Cheann Comhairle. You are getting very upset all of a sudden. I know you are trying to defend the bad record of this Minister.
: The Deputy will withdraw that.
: I withdraw the statement——
: The Deputy will withdraw it without qualification.
: I withdraw the fact that you are not trying to defend the Minister in this regard.
: I do not know what the Deputy is saying.
: I withdraw the reference that you are in any way trying to defend the Minister. I put it to you, a Cheann Comhairle, that the Minister——
: That is not in order. I am moving on to Question Number 18.
: I want to ask you a question concerning this matter. Have I the right to address a question to you?
: Yes.
: Because of the totally unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply about providing proper job opportunities for the people of Mayo, I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
: The Chair will communicate with Deputy Flynn.