asked the Minister for Labour the number of factories or places of employment which have closed since 5 July 1977; and if he will list each one and state the number of jobs lost in each case.

Since 5 July 1977 notifications have been received under the Protection of Employment Act, 1977, with respect to the closure of 15 establishments involving a total of 1,067 workers. In addition, I am aware of closures not notifiable under the Act arising from four company liquidations involving 1,860 workers, of which 1,400 were attributable to Ferenka.

A list of closures which have actually taken place in the period will be circulated with the report. It has not been possible in the time available to get detailed reports from the NMS offices and employment exchanges, but I am satisfied that a high proportion of the workers affected are now in other jobs.

The following is the statement:

Closures notified under the Protection of Employment Act, 1977 since 5 July 1977 and which have actually taken place.

Is the effect of what the Minister has said that 19 establishments closed down with a loss of 3,000 jobs?

I have given the information in the course of my reply.

Was one of the firms concerned Van Hool McArdle?

It was.

Has the Minister done anything to re-establish that plant?

That is a matter for another Minister but I understand that he, through his agencies, is actively pursuing the situation. As the Deputy is aware, some of those people have been re-employed. I gave that information in the course of a reply some months ago.

I am sure the Minister is aware that they are employed superfluously by CIE. Will the Minister tell the House what action he has taken to re-establish the plant in Inchicore and re-establish those viable jobs?

My colleague, the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy, is actively pursuing this matter.

Is the Minister the Minister for Unemployment and not the Minister for Employment?