asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism if the IDA have any plans for a new project in the new 24,000 sq. ft. advance factory in Longford town, where unemployment is on the increase again.

I am informed that the Industrial Development Authority are vigorously promoting the 28,000 sq. ft. advance factory in Longford for suitable industrial development. In addition the IDA have 3 x 1,000 sq. ft. incubator units and 25 acres of land available for industrial development in the town.

I did not hear the earlier part of the Minister's reply. Did he say that they are being vigorously marketed and promoted?

I said that the IDA are vigorously promoting the 28,000 sq. ft. advance factory in Longford.

Have we nothing beyond that?

Obviously the IDA are seeking very hard to obtain some person to locate in this plant. They have a very considerable investment there and it is clearly wasted as long as it is empty. I acknowledge that there is a need to promote employment in Longford town. I accept that there has been considerable growth in unemployment in that town in the last year as implied in the Deputy's question. I will convey to the IDA my concern about this matter and ask them to redouble their efforts to secure somebody to fill that plant.

12.