Vol. 408 No. 9
17 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the projections for extra employment in the food industry which were made by the incoming Government in 1987: and the way in which projections compare with the actual number of jobs provided.
The Programme for National Recovery drawn up by the Government in 1987 provided for the creation, over five years, of 2,200 new jobs in the beef, pig processing and sheepmeat industries. Up to the end of 1990 the number of new jobs created in those industries was 3,213.
Those figures sound very handsome, but is the Minister aware that in reply to a statistical question to the Taoiseach it transpired that there are fewer jobs in the food industry this year than there were in 1987, and can he explain that?
It is fair to say that there has been a process of rationalisation in the agri-food sector and jobs have been shed, but conversely there has been an increase in the number of jobs created. The very fact that the target set out in the programme in 1987 has been exceeded to the extent it has is commendable. For the benefit of the House I will give the figures. The projected increase for the beef sector was 1,000 jobs while the actual number was 1,939 jobs; the projection for the pig meat sector was 1,000 but the actual increase was 1,134. In the sheep meat industry the projection was for 200 new jobs and the actual number was 140.
The Minister mentioned a figure of £260 million for 1987. How much of that money has been spent and what does the Minister propose to do with the remainder?
I am sure Deputy Kenny realises that he should put down a parliamentary question on that matter to give me an opportunity to get the statistics for him.
It relates to the same programme.
The Minister ought to know.
Deputy Bernard Durkan is offering.
Can the Minister tell the House the number of extra jobs created as opposed to new jobs?
None.
It is a minus figure.
I have already given the number of new jobs projected for the three sectors in question and the number created.
Does the Minister have the number of job losses?
I do not have that figure.
There has been a net loss of 300 jobs.
