asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the number of new jobs created in the two factories provided by the IDA in Lismore, County Waterford.

I assume that the Deputy's question refers to two companies, which, with the assistance of the Industrial Development Authority, in recent years constructed factories in the Lismore area, one to manufacture furniture and the other to manufacture flexible hoses.

The furniture factory, which is now in production, was projected to employ 40 persons when fully operational. It has not attained its full employment target and the IDA are in close touch with the firm about their future development.

The metallic hose project was expected to employ nine persons at full production. Unfortunately, due to market conditions this project has not developed. The IDA are in touch with the promoting company about their plans for the factory.

Is the Minister aware that the nine jobs referred to are not new jobs but merely represent a transfer of employees from a factory in east Cork to a factory belonging to the same company in west Waterford?

I do not know which of the factories referred to here the Deputy has in mind.

It is Arkle.

It appears from the information available to me that the situation in relation to Arkle is not as the Deputy has outlined.

The Minister's information is incorrect.

My information on this firm is that the company reached an employment peak of 20 last year but that that has fallen to 14. It would appear that there is a difference in the two companies the Deputy has asked about.