Vol. 412 No. 7
30 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will request the IDA to make a full assessment of (1) the raw materials available in this State and Northern Ireland for the setting up of a tannery industry and (2) the job potential of such an industry if all hides, skins and other by-products were processed in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The IDA have carried out an assessment and have concluded that significant potential exists for employment creation in the hides and skins processing industry. Of course the actual projects needed to achieve this are a matter in the first instance for individual promoters and their views in regard to the degree of processing involved and modern systems of tanning would largely determine the levels of employment involved.
The IDA have informed me that they are actively pursuing promoters to establish additional processing capacity in this area. However, they point out that realistically, due to seasonality and other factors, not all available hides and skins could be expected to be processed in this country.
The promotion of specific industrial projects is a matter for which the IDA have day-to-day responsibility and I have no direct functions in such matters.
