asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism the number of job losses in the clothing, footwear and textile industries in (a) 1979 and (b) 1980 to date.

Manufacturing firms are not obliged to notify me of job losses and I do not therefore have precise information on this matter. However, information on redundancies provided to the Department of Labour by employers in these three sectors shows that in 1979 the number of redundancies was 939 in the textiles industry and 307 in the clothing and footwear sectors combined. The corresponding figures for the first three months of this year are 549 and 96 respectively. These figures are derived from notifications which must be given under the Redundancy Payments Acts in circumstances where employers are laying off workers who are regarded as being qualified for redundancy payments. To that extent the figures may not be regarded as comprehensive.

I sought information on job losses as opposed to the numbers of people on redundancy payments. There are many people unemployed who are not in receipt of redundancy payments. I am asking the Minister when will he be able to make figures available concerning job losses as opposed to those in receipt of redundancy payments?

There is a deficiency in the whole area of statistics, and an interDepartmental committee are working to try to improve the position. I accept the point made by the Deputy that the figures I have given refer only to redundancies. I am not in a position to give the information the Deputy has sought but I am trying to improve the position of statistical information.

Have the Department any idea at all of the level of job losses in these areas?

I have given the Deputy the information.

He has given us information from the Department of Labour. I am seeking information about job losses notified to the Department of the Minister of State now in the House.

I will give the Deputy the results of an internal IDA survey of manufacturing industry compiled by the IDA for planning purposes only. It shows that in 1979 gross job losses in the clothing, footwear and textile industries amounted to 3,783, and gross job gains amounted to 4,444.

Are they job creations?

They are actual jobs on the ground. It meant an overall net gain in employment of 661. Similar figures for 1980 will not be available until early next year. I repeat that these figures are the result of an internal IDA survey. It is not a Central Statistics Office figure. I have no doubt the Deputy will be delighted to hear of the increase of 661 jobs in those sectors.

When will the information be available?

I have given the Deputy as much information as I possibly could.

Will it be before the next election?

9.