asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will ensure that the IDA will direct more industries into County Kerry in view of the problem that exists with regard to the number of school leavers who cannot get work and the increasing numbers over the next two years.

It has been and remains my constant endeavour, and that of the Industrial Development Authority, within the limits of available resources to secure the establishment in all parts of the country of as many soundly-based new industrial undertakings as possible. The ultimate choice of location in all such cases rests with the promoters. It is not possible to direct industry to a particular county.

I can assure the Deputy however that the Industrial Development Authority are maintaining their efforts to attract further new industries to County Kerry. I understand from the authority that in each of the past four years employment in manufacturing industry in Kerry has increased. Allowing for job losses in some firms, the total number of additional jobs created in manufacturing industry in Kerry in the period 1973-1976 was approximately 1,400, of which more than 500 were created in 1976 alone. The authority have industrial sites at seven locations in the county which they will use to attract industry and generate new employment opportunities.

33.