asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the region of Ireland that suffers from the highest level of unemployment; and the measures the Government are taking to combat this situation.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Regional Unemployment.
5.
(Limerick East): I am informed by the Central Statistics Office that the north west and Donegal planning regions together have the highest rate of unemployment in the country. The Government's national plan Building on Reality sets out the Government's overall programme for employment creation and economic development. In so far as industrial development is concerned, Building on Reality incorporates the principal elements of the White Paper on Industrial Policy which was published in July 1984. The White Paper established employment growth in industry and the maximisation of value-added as the primary objectives of industrial policy.
The main elements of industrial strategy are: (a) increasing emphasis to be placed on the development of indigenous industry; (b) greater inter-industry linkages between foreign-owned and indigenous industry; (c) the continued attraction of projects from overseas, particularly those projects performing key business functions; (d) the creation of more new small industries under the IDA small industries programme which has now been fully regionalised; and (e) a shift in State support from fixed asset investment to export marketing development and technology acquisition.
In the north west and Donegal planning regions manufacturing employment at the end of 1985 had increased by 550 over the corresponding figure for the end of 1984. All of the area in question is designated for industrial policy purposes and as such is in a position to attract a higher level of grant assistance for industries locating there than is available in the non-designated areas.
The Minister said the north west region has the highest rate of unemployment. Can he tell us the position in regard to the other regions?
That is a very broad question.
There are only eight more regions.
(Limerick East): I have not got that information but I know it is available and I will provide it for the Deputy.