asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism the steps he proposes to take to generate increased employment in north Tipperary in view of the seriousness of unemployment there.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - North Tipperary Employment.
1.
As I indicated in response to a number of questions yesterday from Deputy O'Kennedy both the Industrial Development Authority and Shannon Development are vigorously promoting north Tipperary for suitable industrial development.
Negotiations are at an advanced stage with an overseas company for the establishment of a new industrial project in the IDA's 24,000 sq. ft. unit at Nenagh. I am informed that there are now four projects employing seven people located at Shannon Development's workspace development in Connolly Street.
Two of the IDA's factories at Thurles have recently been occupied by Appledore Ltd., and Eirauf Ltd., both of which will make a major contribution to employment in the area. In addition, Shannon Development are currently converting two industrial units into a workspace complex, which will result in 11 units of varying sizes being available for letting and are also constructing two units of 2,500 sq. ft. each at the New Road, Thurles.
The IDA's 24,000 sq. ft. advance factory at Roscrea will shortly be occupied by Roscrea Bacon Factory Ltd., as part of a recently announced major expansion which will create 37 additional jobs over the next 12 months.
In addition to these developments, the IDA are promoting the following facilities: Nenagh, one 16,800 sq. ft. factory; Thurles, one 18,750 sq. ft. factory; and industrial land in the following locations: Nenagh, 54 acres; Thurles, 75 acres and Roscrea 40 acres.
Would the Minister bear in mind the views of the county development team specifically with regard to the depopulation of the Thurles area, the long record of unemployment in the area and have specific regard to their views for the development of 75 acres of IDA-owned land in the area so that serviced sites would be available in the event of industrialists being interested in starting up industry there?
Certainly I will ask the IDA to bear in mind both the views of the county development team and those expressed here by Deputy Molony in regard to this matter.
I note that the Minister has repeated exactly for Deputy Molony the information he gave me in reply to three questions I had submitted earlier——
A question, please, Deputy.
Therefore one wonders what Deputy Molony's question is doing on today's Order Paper——
I was wondering why the Deputy was not here yesterday.
Why Deputy Molony was not here yesterday?
Why Deputy O'Kennedy was not here yesterday.
Now that we have been given the same information does the Minister acknowledge the fact that what he has just told the House and what he told me yesterday is merely a statement of what we already know, that there is nothing in what the Minister has said today——
A question, Deputy, please. The Deputy is commenting on what the Minister said which is not a question.
In order to conform to the rules of order: does the Minister acknowledge that there is nothing in what he has said today that is not already known in any of the towns of north Tipperary to which he referred, and the matters referred to in Deputy Molony's question also which acknowledge the high level of unemployment and asked what the Minister proposed to do? The Minister's response to that is to tell us where we are now.
Every time a parliamentary question is put down I do not think one can expect some news one has not heard before. The fact that there is a substantial amount of investment by the relevant authorities in the area is clearly evidenced by the facts I have given, the reference to the two factories that are being promoted and the very substantial land bank available. Naturally the new programmes that the Government have introduced, such as that of the intensive promotion of small industry, will be of benefit in the area in question.
In view of the fact that there are approximately 3,000 people unemployed in north Tipperary at present, which is approximately double the figure three or four years ago——
What did Deputy O'Kennedy do about it three or four years ago?
Order, please, Deputy Molony.
Deputy Molony is very sensitive——
I am very sensitive about the hypocrisy of Deputy O'Kennedy coming into the House asking such questions when it was his Government who were responsible.
(Interruptions).
Order, please, Deputies.
If I may take the example——
I have not finished my question.
Deputy O'Kennedy is asking a question.
I often wonder where question begin and end.
I had got to the first sentence only of my question when I was interrupted. In view of the fact that the numbers unemployed at present in north Tipperary are approximately 3,000 — almost double the figure a few years ago — would the Minister not recognise that it is vitally important to actually promote new activities as distinct from coming in to record what is known already in Thurles, Roscrea and in Nenagh?
That is argument.
It is not; it is a question.
They are being promoted. I am very surprised at Deputy O'Kennedy.
Order, please. This should be taken down to north Tipperary.
The Deputy might be interested in the actual unemployment figures which indicate that in the last 12 months there has been a decline in unemployment in Nenagh——
Hear, hear.
Emigration.
——from 1,057 down to 1,016. Furthermore, in respect of Roscrea, there has been a relatively modest increase, less than the national average, and a decline in the town of Nenagh which is quite significant.
My concern is that there seems to be some suggestion that there is something unique about north Tipperary whereas the tragedy of unemployment affects the entire country.
But we are here to represent north Tipperary.
Indeed, but we are not here to abuse the privileges of the House either. I am surprised at Deputy O'Kennedy doing so. Would the Minister indicate whether he has any comparative figures indicating how unemployment has developed in north Tipperary, as compared with other areas, in the past two years?
I would need to do certain calculations to enable me to work that out immediately. In the last year, that is between the end of April 1983 and the end of April 1984, the rate of increase in unemployment in north Tipperary has been significantly less than the national average.
That is small consolation — the course of emigration.