asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if the IDA intends to erect advance factories at (a) Charleville, County Cork; and (b) in the Duhallow area of north Cork.

The Industrial Development Authority use a number of criteria to select the centres which will obtain the greatest benefit from the construction of an advance factory. I understand that, having examined the situation in the Charleville area and in the Duhallow area, it is not considered that the construction of an advance factory is warranted in either area at present.

The authority will keep the situation under review however and will continue its promotion of the areas in question for suitable industrial development.

On what basis does the Parliamentary Secretary say an advance factory is not warranted in the area?

The criteria used by the IDA when selecting suitable areas includes the extent of the need for job creation, the quality of the infrastructure and proximity of an existing advance factory. While the IDA are aware of the need for further industrial development in this area they consider the employment situation in these towns to be relatively satisfactory and have not therefore included them in their current factory programme. However, the IDA are negotiating the purchase of an additional site of approximately 23 acres at Mallow which will be promoted for industrial development.

38.

asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy when production is likely to commence in the factory at Gorteenbaha, Kanturk, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I am informed by the Industrial Development Authority that production is expected to commence in the factory at Gorteenbaha, Kanturk, County Cork, in March, 1978. Veterinary pharmaceutical products mainly will be produced at the factory which is expected to employ 35 persons at commencement of production.