asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware of the increasing unemployment and short time at present existing in cigarette and tobacco factories, and whether any remedial measures are contemplated by his Department to solve this problem.

From the figures available to me of employment in cigarette and tobacco factories, there appears to be very little change in the incidence of employment for several years past. Any little change there has been merely reflects normal fluctuations and does not indicate any significant change.

Is the Minister aware that a Dublin firm is closed for three days and that others are contemplating reducing their staffs?

The information available to me from the Central Statistics Office for March, 1952, indicates no change in employment in the tobacco factories and, in fact, the situation was then, if anything, a trifle better than it had been some time previously.

In view of Deputy Doyle's statement, I take it that the Minister will have the matter looked into?

Yes.