asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the present position regarding the purchase of a site for an advanced factory at Louisburgh. County Mayo; and if the IDA have any proposals to establish an industry there.

I have been informed by the Industrial Development Authority that in conjunction with the local authority they are seeking a suitable site for industry in the Louisburgh area. A number of sites have been investigated but no suitable site has yet been identified. The Authority have no plans at present to build an advance factory at Louisburgh. When, however, a suitable site has been acquired, the authority will promote it vigorously for industry.

25.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if the IDA have any immediate plans to provide industry at Westport, County Mayo.

I have been informed by the Industrial Development Authority that a US company, Allergan Pharmaceuticals, will shortly take over the advance factory already constructed in Westport by the authority. I expect that production will begin in January of next year.

As already announced, the IDA propose to build a 24,000 sq. ft. advance factory in Westport. A suitable site for this factory is at present being sought.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there is a great deal of unrest in Westport because this company which was supposed to commence training workers in January have not come to the town and do not seem to be making any progress towards commencing work at the advance factory there?

My information is that the company will shortly move into the factory and is expected to begin production in January, 1978. The keys will, in fact, be formally handed over by the Minister to the company on 9th May, 1977.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say if any site has been selected for the advance factory he mentioned? Has a short list been prepared or what is the position?

The position is that it is being sought at the moment, no doubt with the co-operation of the local authority, which is appreciated.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary be more definite? Is there any site available or have any sites been short listed?

I have already said that a site is being sought. I cannot give specific information about individual sites which are possibly being considered but the IDA are anxious that this factory would be built as soon as possible. Westport is being treated as a priority area by the IDA because of the employment problem in the area and, in the light of that, I have no doubt every effort is being made to get this advance factory and the site for it ready quickly. It is worth noting this is a particularly large advance factory, much larger than the type of advance factory built generally in the past.

26.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if the IDA have any proposals to provide industries for the advance factories at Ballinrobe, County Mayo.

I am informed by the Industrial Development Authority that every effort is being made to secure suitable projects for the two advance factories in Ballinrobe. Five industrialists have been taken to visit the premises by the IDA but no positive proposals have, so far, developed.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this area is very much in need of some form of industry? Is he further aware that an industrialist who had already set up in this advance factory was allowed to leave the area and set up about 14 miles away in a Gaeltacht area and would be indicate if there is any way in which this kind of thing can be checked by his Department or by the IDA?

The problem here is that the basis of the IDA's development strategy is in support of private initiative and private industry. If a private firm sets up in a particular place with assistance obviously they must retain, if they are to be effective as private industrialists, some degree of freedom in relation to their activities. However, as far as Ballinrobe is concerned, I am aware of the need for industrial development in the area. I can tell the Deputy that employment as at 1st January, 1977, was at 196 in Ballinrobe which compares very favourably with the figure for 1975, which was 165 persons. The figure indicates a significant percentage increase in times when employment is difficult to find. The IDA are working very vigorously to find a substitute project for the advance factory in Ballinrobe and five itineraries have been organised into Ballinrobe for visiting industrialists to see what is available there.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary indicating that employment has increased in Ballinrobe as a result of Government intervention; and if so, would he indicate where jobs have been provided as a result of Government help or assistance?

I said that employment has increased in Ballinrobe and I did not attempt to attribute it to private or public or any source. I merely gave the figures which, I think, speak for themselves.