asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism if he will outline the efforts made to date to find suitable manufacturing companies as possible tenants for the advance factory and the clusters at Buncrana, County Donegal; and, if, in view of the extremely high unemployment rate in the area, he will treat the matter as a high priority.

14.

asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism if he has finalised negotiations for the factory space available at Buncrana, Co. Donegal; and when it is hoped to be in operation.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 14 together.

I am assured by the Industrial Development Authority that both the 24,000 square feet advance factory and the 15,000 square feet small industry cluster in Buncrana are receiving priority treatment. Negotiations are taking place at present with industrial promoters who have expressed an interest in locating projects in these factories.

In order to cater for the growing manufacturing employment needs of the Buncrana area, I recently announced that the authority proposes to build a further 24,000 square feet advance factory in the town. In addition, the IDA are negotiating with Buncrana Urban District Council for the purchase of a further 8 acre site in the town.

I am glad that the Minister is taking an interest in the town of Buncrana because it is recognised——

A question, please, Deputy.

Could the Minister tell me when there will be a tenant for the factories that are there at present? It is nice to know that you are to build another advance factory but when will you get a tenant for those that are there?

I am not in a position to divulge when. There have been discussions with some people there and as far as I am concerned the matter is confidential.

So you have an advance factory——

A question, please.

Is the Minister telling me that he has advance factories there and that he is going to build another advance factory but that he cannot get tenants for the first factories?

I did not say that.

That is what I heard the Minister saying.

A final supplementary question from Deputy O'Toole.

Is the Minister aware that there are 2 million square feet of factory space vacant in the country despite the fact that the IDA have fulfilled their job creation programme of 30,000 jobs this year? Has the Minister any specific measures in mind to accelerate the filling of vacant factory space? Despite the fact that the IDA have fulfilled this year's job creation programme what specific additional proposals has the Minister in mind to fill factories in Buncrana and elsewhere that are vacant?

I do not agree with what the Deputy says——

These are facts.

The Deputy knows that filling these factories and bringing industry into an area is an ongoing process. If you have not the land and the factories you cannot accommodate the industrialists. What may not be filled in 1980 may be filled in 1981 or 1982.

I hope so.

In view of the serious unemployment situation in Buncrana, is the Minister satisfied that the IDA are promoting industrial development there and that everything possible is being done to promote this particular area?

I am so satisfied.