asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce when work on the Fieldcrest project in Kilkenny will commence; when building will be completed; and the employment that will be given in the first five years.

As regards the dates for the commencement and completion of the building of the factory for this project, I would refer the Deputy to a reply which I gave to a similar question on 2nd December, 1976, at columns 1301/1302 of the Official Report.

I am informed by the Industrial Development Authority that it is not possible at this stage to give precise yearly employment figures as requested by the Deputy. However, the initial build-up of employment in the project is expected to be rapid and could reach about 850 within two years of going into production.