Vol. 402 No. 9
17 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Energy the number of jobs which he believes can be created from the initiatives put in place on the basis of the Arigna Task Force Report; the manner in which progress in relation to job creation will be monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
23 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for Energy if he has studied the Arigna Task Force Report commissioned by him; if he accepts their recommendations involving his Department; if these recommendations will be acted on; if consultations will take place between his Department and the other Government Departments who have been mentioned in the report; and if not, if he will seek the co-operation of the other Departments mentioned.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 23 together.
On 13 August 1990, I released details of the Arigna Task Force Report established to identify alternative employment opportunities in the region. The report contained a wide range of constructive suggestions and recommendations for job creation to facilitate the transition from coal mining to a broader based economy. The report was accepted by the Government.
The recommendations involving my Department related to forestry development and to the use of bogs for horticultural peat products. Both of these recommendations are being actively pursued in my Department.
As well as taking account of the issues relevant to my Department, I wrote to all my Government colleagues at the end of August asking them to arrange that their Departments and the bodies under their aegis take the necessary action to ensure that the recommendations are implemented. The task force indicated that 300 jobs are expected to be created.
The ESB are providing £1 million to assist with the job creation projects identified in the report. To administer this ESB contribution and funding from other sources for job creation projects in the area, I am happy to say that I recently arranged to set up a locally based Arigna Development Fund Company and I am confident that this arrangement will help substantially towards providing new job opportunities for the redundant miners.
In addition to the Arigna Development Fund, which will have an obvious interest in the matter, a core monitoring group, recommended in the task force, is being established by local interests with a view to monitoring the implementation of all aspects of the report.
The Minister states that the recommendations of his Department related to forestry and peat. To go into it further, in Chapter 5 under subsection (7), there is a recommendation that the Department might designate the area as a location for the proposed wood pulp processing factory. Will the Minister comment on that recommendation?
I am glad the Deputy used the word "proposed" because there is no firm proposal yet to establish a pulp mill industry in this country. Discussions have been taking place with an interested party but there are no firm proposals yet in regard to the actual pulp mill. That is a matter which will be kept under consideration. The Government identified the need for a third pulp mill industry in this country to absorb forestry products because of the huge growth in the planting programme and in the maturing of forests throughout the country. I agree with the implication in the Deputy's question that the west, north western region, will be a preferred location for such a pulp mill industry if one were to be constructed here. I am aware of the desire of people not alone in the Arigna area but in practically every town and village in the country to have this pulp mill industry located in their area. Until I have a firm proposal the Government will not be in a position to influence the matter. Negotiations in these matters are carried out mainly by the IDA. I suggest that any direct question with regard to this be directed to the Minister for Industry and Commerce.
May I raise with the Minister one aspect of his reply which I found a little disappointing, that is, the question of monitoring? Would he not agree that monitoring by a local group is insufficient to ensure the Government will continue to give a commitment to provide funds and, if so, would he not agree that it would be far better to have a Government monitoring group to decide, on the basis of the progress achieved, the baseline level of employment in the areas? May I further ask the Minister if he has been in contact with the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad on this issue? He has expressed considerable ——
Neither the Seanad nor any Member thereof should be brought into this matter.
He has rubbished the report. It is relevant and should be spoken about.
There will be no mention of the other House.
The unmentionable.
Deputy Bruton does not seem to be aware just how extensive and important the group I have set up are. As a matter of courtesy, I mentioned in my reply that a local group have also been created and have given themselves a monitoring role. I have set up a very important company to promote job creation in this area. The chairman of the new company will be Donal Connolly, the Roscommon County Manager. All of the following have been invited to act and by now I think all of them have accepted the invitation: the chairman of Roscommon County Council, the chairman of Sligo County Council, the chairman of Leitrim County Council, a representative of the regional development division of the Industrial Development Authority, a representative of the Ireland West Regional Tourism Organisation, the Roscommon County Development Officer and Dr. Hugh Gibbons of Keadue, County Roscommon. When the memorandum and articles of association have been finalised they will meet and money will be transferred to the company. They will have a major say in how the funds to be made available; £1 million, along with other funds, are to be used in supporting job creation projects in that area.
Is the Minister in a position to give us any indication of the number of redundant miners who have gained employment since the mines closed?
None.
That seems to be a separate matter.
I do not seem to have that figure here.
May I answer that question for the Minister? The answer is none.
A number of schemes have been established and I understand many of the former miners have applied to participate in the various training programmes which have been established. A FAS skills training course for ex-miners and family members is now up and running and 23 persons have applied. A 26 week business development course has also started on how to run and operate a business. Twenty people have applied for places on that scheme. A fulltime facility co-ordinator for the Arigna area has been appointed and it will be his function to encourage group formation so that job creation projects which will attract funding will be put forward by groups and an overall integerated rural development plan for the region is prepared to take full advantage of EC funds. I had hoped, having worked on this matter throughout the summer months when the Dáil was in recess, that even one Deputy from this large area, consisting of Counties Leitrim, Roscommon and Sligo, would have offered one word of appreciation for my efforts with regard to the Arigna area——
We will when we see results.
——to which I have given much attention. I have created many precedents and, I think, displayed my good faith in trying to compensate for the loss of employment arising out of the inevitable closure of the mines in that area. It was well known for many years that that was going to happen. I am only in this Department for just over one year and I have put all these things in place. I was shocked on coming into office to find that no such measures were planned to deal with the impending mass unemployment in this region and the traumatic effect this would have on a small rural community.
I am anxious to dispose of Question No. 18 as Deputy Durkan has been waiting patiently for an answer to his question. If it is replied to now we shall have it.
