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.