asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the present position relating to the idle IDA factory at Edenderry, County Offaly.

The Industrial Development Authority are continuing their efforts to secure a new industrial project for the advance factory in Edenderry. Negotiations are at present in progress with one promoter, but it is not possible at this stage to indicate the outcome.

484.

asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the present position regarding the proposed new industry for the vacant IDA factory at Birr, County Offaly.

A US company, Eaton Allen Corporation, has been approved grant assistance by the Industrial Development Authority to undertake the manufacture of office requisites in the advance factory in Birr. The company is already in occupation of the factory and expects to begin production early in 1978.

485.

asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if he will take action to ensure that an industry is started in the vacant IDA factory at Clara, County Offaly, in view of the fact that a considerable number of workers have recently become redundant in the area.

I am aware of the redundancies which have occurred recently in Clara. The Industrial Development Authority are endeavouring to secure a suitable industrial project for the advance factory there. I understand that negotiations are in progress with a number of firms who have expressed interest in locating at Clara.

486.

asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the present position relating to the idle IDA factory at Tullamore, County Offaly.

I am informed by the Industrial Development Authority that the 17,000 sq. ft. advance factory at Tullamore has recently been occupied by a German firm which will employ 100 persons at full production, in the manufacture of hybrid integrated circuits. In addition, two units in the 15,000 sq. ft. cluster factory have been allocated to projects which have been approved under the IDA's small industries programme. I understand that a number of inquiries have been received regarding the remaining two units and it is expected that these will be allocated before the end of the year.