Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Dec 1997

Vol. 484 No. 3

Written Answers. - Job Creation.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

119 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on whether there will be extra job creation in the footwear and leather industry and particularly the processing of hide industry with consequent production of value added products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22314/97]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Miss Harney)

The footwear and leather industry in both Ireland and the EU continues to face severe competition from increasing levels of low cost imports, particularly from Asia. While the Irish industry suffered a significant decline during the 1970s and 1980s, employment in the sector appears to have recently stabilised. The most recent CSO statistics available indicate that employment has, in fact, increased from 1,000 at end 1993 to 1,100 at end December 1996.

Companies in the footwear sector, in particular, in order to continue to operate successfully in an increasingly open market, have moved away from traditional products into niche markets. This entailed the development of innovative design, high quality and competitive pricing based on a high rate of efficiency. Given the continuing intense competition facing the footwear and leather industry, the recent employment trend to more heartening and I am hopeful that the numbers may increase further when a hide processing operation at Clondra, County Longford, which is currently at the "start up phase", goes into full production.