asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism the number of jobs provided with assistance from the IDA in County Roscommon in 1985; and the steps which the propose to take in 1986 to create jobs for 2,500 people presently registered as unemployed in County Roscommon.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - County Roscommon Unemployed.
6.
I am informed by the Industrial Development Authority that they assisted in the creation of 111 first time jobs in County Roscommon in 1985. The IDA will continue to actively promote their available factory space and lands in County Roscommon for suitable industrial projects.
As part of the IDA's policy of regionalisation, the Midlands Small Industries Board were established in June 1985. The regionalisation programme is now fully operational and the responsibility for negotiation and approval of small industrial projects in the Roscommon area has now been developed to the midlands region itself. It is expected that this development will make a positive contribution to the job creation effort in 1986 by ensuring a closer working relationship with local parties interested in industrial development in the area.
Is the Minister of State aware that there are 107,879 square feet of empty factory space in County Roscommon, that there are 66½ acres of empty space for development and that there are more than 2,500 people unemployed? Will he state where the 111 jobs were created in my constituency? Further, when did this elusive group called the Midlands Small Industries Board meet and what have they produced in the past 18 months?
If the Deputy is not aware of the establishment of the Midlands Small Industries Board, he must not be paying attention to his constituency work.
I am pursuing my constituency work and I am concentrating on it rather than on business deals.
I am informed that Roscommon had eight small industry projects approved for grant assistance by the IDA in 1985. The number of first time jobs established in County Roscommon in 1985 was 111.
Where are they?
In the Boyle, Castlerea and Roscommon centres the number on the live register in December 1983 was 1,834 and in December 1985 it was 1,870. There was practically no change in that period.
For this the Wild Geese flew.
Will the Minister of State please say where the jobs have been created? I resent his comment about the work I do for my constituency. When we were in Government we had people working in my constituency. We did not have 107,879 square feet of empty factory space in County Roscommon——
We cannot have speeches at Question Time. I appeal to Deputies to stop making speeches.
Where were the 111 jobs created in my constituency?
I am aware there is a substantial amount of factory space and land available for industrial development in the area. However, there are also some major companies including Hanlys, Hofwar, the Elan Corporation in Athlone, Shannonside Milk Products, Halal Meat Packers and Arigna Colleries in the area.
Is the Minister aware that one firm he mentioned laid off workers quite recently?
I will communicate with the Deputy in relation to the exact plants involved with regard to the 111 jobs in question.
Is the Minister aware that Ballyhaunis is in County Mayo?
The Minister has told us that 111 jobs have been created but there are 2,500 people unemployed and 1,500 people have emigrated. Is the Minister satisfied with the performance of the Government? Is he satisfied about all the empty factory space? What is he doing about the matter? What is he doing to create jobs in my constituency?
The Industrial Development Authority are charged with that responsibility. They have performed admirably during the years and have done their best for the whole of the country, including Roscommon. If the Deputy thinks otherwise, I suggest that he should talk to the chief executive of the IDA and tell him of his concerns. I am not happy that all the factory space is not used. However, if the policies of Fianna Fáil had been less inflationary, the environment for industry would be much better——
I am calling Question No. 7.
It took three long years for this Government——
The Minister should answer Question No. 7.
We created jobs.
Order. I have called Question No. 7.
With the permission of the Chair, I wish to raise on the Adjournment the matter of the Bailieboro CoOperative Society and the financial institutions, including the Government financial institutions.
I will communicate with the Deputy.