andMr. Brosnan asked the Minister for Labour if he is aware of any plans to reduce the work force of Irish Steel Holdings Limited to 450; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

(Cavan): I am not aware of any plans to reduce the work force of Irish Steel Holdings Limited to 450. I understand that the company is preparing a development plan which it hopes to submit to the Minister for Industry and Commerce in the new year.

I am disappointed that the Minister for Labour is not here again today to answer these questions. It is rather ironic that the Minister for Lands should be answering this question.

The Deputy must proceed by way of questions.

Is the Minister aware or is he interested in the fact that the work force of Irish Steel has dropped from 1,100 jobs to approximately 550 in just over a year? In view of that, what steps are his Department taking to ensure not only continuity of existing jobs but the urgent expansion of the works to provide employment in the area?

(Cavan): I am not aware that the work force has dropped from 1,100 to 550. I said in reply to the Deputy's question that I have no indication that it is likely to fall to 450 or anything like it. I also said that the company is preparing a development plan which will be submitted to the Minister for Industry and Commerce for consideration early in the new year.

What number are employed there at present?

(Cavan): My information is that the number employed in November, 1975, was between 700 and 800.

Could the Minister tell me what is the projected figure for January, 1976?

(Cavan): I do not have that information.

Could the Minister tell me what figure he has for July, 1974?

(Cavan): In September, 1974, there were approximately 775.

It is ironic that the Minister does not have the figure for July when it was 1,100. It would appear that the Minister's brief is specially prepared with selected figures.

(Cavan): What month was the Deputy asking about?

July, 1974.

(Cavan): I gave the figure for September, 1974. I do not have the figures for July but there were over 1,100 in September, 1974.

That coincides with my figure. The Minister is admitting that the figure dropped by approximately 300 from 1974 to 1975.

(Cavan): It is not a question of conceding or admitting anything. I am giving the Deputy the figures I have.

I am calling on Deputy Brosnan.

I will give way in a moment.

The Deputy has had a good innings. I am calling Deputy Brosnan.

Is the Minister not already aware that the Minister for Industry and Commerce, in a reply to a question in this House, stated that he expected the development plans in January but had no idea when a decision on those plans would be taken by his Department? Is the Department of Labour showing any interest whatever in the job loss which has taken place in Irish Steel?

(Cavan): Of course all Departments are taking an interest. The Deputy did not ask anything about the development plans. I told him, as apparently the Minister for Industry and Commerce told him, that such plans are expected next January.

Is the Minister aware that almost 500 people were invited, were almost compelled, to become redundant and more redundancies were imminent in that firm at the moment? This year for the first time they have failed to re-employ their own apprentices. Unless these development plans are expedited there will be nothing left to expedite.

(Cavan): The Deputy may take it that once the development plans are under way in the Department they will be dealt with as a matter of urgency.