asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that many men, who lost their employment as a result of the closing down of the Clondulane Flour Mills, County Cork, have exhausted their claims to unemployment insurance benefit, and whether, in view of this, he is prepared to take steps by introducing proposals for legislation to provide additional benefits for these and other workers in a similar position.

I am aware that employment in the Clondulane Flour Mills is intermittent, but my information is that the mills have not closed down.

The employees have not yet exhausted their rights to benefit.

The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.