asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the proposals by the IDA for creation of jobs in County Roscommon and the part of east Galway in Roscommon constituency where unemployment has reached an all time high with 2,500 people unemployed; the location of vacant industrial space in County Roscommon; the date on which the factory was erected; the cost; the yearly cost of maintaining it; and the efforts which have been made to promote vacant industrial space in Roscommon over the past four years.

I am informed that the Industrial Development Authority are actively promoting the area referred to by the Deputy for industrial development. So far this year, the IDA have approved five small industry projects for County Roscommon with a potential for 44 jobs.

Particulars of vacant factories in County Roscommon, apart from the 27,600 sq. ft. advance factory at Boyle negotiations for the take-over of which by an industrial promoter are at an advanced stage, are as follows:

The IDA allocate approximately £8,000 on a yearly basis towards maintaining their property in County Roscommon. Individual factory maintenance charges are not available.

The IDA have made strenuous efforts to promote vacant industrial space in County Roscommon over the past four years and these efforts are continuing.

When will discussions be finalised in regard to the Boyle factory? I understand that they are at a very advanced stage. How many is it envisaged will be employed there?

The project is being negotiated at the moment and it would not be in accordance with practice to give details when negotiations are proceeding.

My information is that negotiations have reached a successful conclusion. Has the Minister any idea of the time scale?

I can confirm that negotiations are at an advanced stage.

One further question. With regard to the vacant space at Castlerea, has the Minister taken into consideration the Finner stone factory and IDA Fashions, both of which have a very small number employed there even though they are in big premises? Has he taken that vacant space into consideration?

No. What I have given for Castlerea as I understand it are figures of vacant units rather than units at spare capacity.

On that question the Minister has indicated that negotiations are at an advanced stage. Will he be good enough to convey the results to all the Deputies representing that constituency when the information is available?

Any Deputy requesting information from my office will get it.

The point I make arising from this question by Deputy Leyden is that the information should be given. Will it be conveyed to him?

In which capacity is the Deputy seeking the information? I did not realise that his Front Bench responsibility extended to representing Deputies from Roscommon.

There are no divisions at all.