asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism if he is aware that 65 employees of a factory (details supplied) in County Kerry are to be laid off shortly; and if he will make statement on the matter in view of his statement some time ago that this factory was expanding to the extent of £1.2 million in order to provide employment for 100 more people.

: I am aware that in July last the enterprise in question laid off 40 of its workers. I understand that this development was due to a reduction in demand for the firm's products in overseas markets.

I am informed by the Industrial Development Authority that in the prevailing circumstances the expansion programme towards which grant assistance had been approved was deferred. I understand, however, that due to some improvement in market conditions, the company are now making arrangements to re-employ 15 of the 40 redundant workers.

The company expect the market improvement to continue and they intend to implement the expansion programme as soon as possible.