Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Jun 1994

Vol. 444 No. 6

Written Answers. - County Waterford Unemployment Crisis.

Austin Deasy

Ceist:

74 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he will have arrangements made for officials of his Department to organise a forum in Waterford embracing all the relevant Government employment creating agencies in the county and city, together with the Oireachtas members, to discuss the unemployment crisis in the area.

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. Quinn)

I have no plans for the establishment of such a forum.

As the Deputy will be aware, new structures for the promotion and development of industry throughout the country have recently been put in place under the Industrial Development Act of 1993.

Forbairt, the new agency responsible for the development of indigenous industry and IDA (Ireland), the organisation responsible for the attraction of investment from overseas, are actively promoting new expansion investment throughout the country including Waterford.

In addition the county enterprise boards should help fill any gaps which become apparent in the support services for local enterprises initiatives. They can bring a variety of interests to set objectives for promoting enterprise in their areas, prepare a strategic plan and provide assistance to small enterprise projects which can yield a cost effective return in terms of job creation.