asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the plans the IDA have to replace the industry which closed in Buttevant, County Cork; if he is aware of the high unemployment in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I am informed by the Industrial Development Authority that Adesco Limited recently took over the Buttevant Concrete premises on relocation from Mallow. This company will employ 19 at full production. In addition, the IDA have acquired a five-acre site at Buttevant which is being actively promoted for suitable industrial projects.

Is the Minister aware of the special situation in Buttevant due to the closure of the plant there? Does he consider it urgent that an industry should be acquired for the Buttevant area? Because the industry closed there many people are now unemployed. They are disillusioned and disheartened. This town which was once a thriving area is now a ghost town. Will he give it priority?

The IDA are making vigorous efforts to promote industrial development in the Buttevant area. They have acquired a five-acre site which is suitable for an industrial project. Commitments have also been made to development in adjacent towns. Through arrangements with private developers a 20,000 sq. ft. factory is under construction in Mallow and a 10,000 sq. ft. advance factory has been completed in Charleville. The IDA are taking a fair amount of action in this general area.

There is no point in talking about Charleville or Mallow. We are talking specifically about Buttevant which is an area of immediate concern to me and to the people of north Cork. I ask the Minister to consider it urgently on his priority list.

I will ask the IDA to look at the needs of Buttevant. The Deputy will realise that there are industrial closures over a vast range of towns, unfortunately, at present. While the IDA would like to give top priority to all of them, there are real problems and giving top priority could begin to lose its meaning if one were to adopt that approach. I will have a look at the specific needs of Buttevant in view of the closure of the plant referred to by the Deputy.

It is not right to say that the north Cork area is well serviced. That is far from being true.

I did not say it was well serviced. I said there was a substantial amount of vacant factory space in the area.