asked the Taoiseach the number of persons employed in the bakery trade; and if he will give a breakdown of the figures into the different sectors.

The number of persons engaged in the bread, biscuit and flour confectionery industry was estimated to be 6,700 in mid-September 1988, the latest date for which information is available from the quarterly industrial inquiry conducted by the Central Statistics Office. This is the most detailed sectoral level within industry for which employment data are compiled.

Could the Minister not give us more up to date figures on the employment situation in the bakery trade?

I have done that. I have indicated the number of persons engaged in the bread, biscuit and flour confectionery industry as being estimated at 6,700 in Mid-September of 1988.

How many will there be in September 1989?

Further information will be available later this year, again based on an annual census.

Ask Ben Dunne.

Is the Minister happy with the manner in which the Minister for Industry and Commerce is dealing with this matter?

That does not arise now.

Is he happy that approximately 1,000 jobs are at stake. As a trade unionist himself, the Ceann Comhairle should be very concerned.

The subject matter of this question is essentially statistical.

Out of date statistics.

7.

asked the Taoiseach the percentage of (a) home produced and (b) imported flour used in the production of bread and confectionery in this country.

Information from the annual census of industrial production shows that the proportion of the value of all materials used in the bread, biscuit and flour confectionery industry which was home produced was 82 per cent in 1985 and 84 per cent in 1986.

The distinction between home produced and imported is not made at the level of individual materials used. The precise information requested by the Deputy is, therefore, not available.

Is it possible that the information I requested could be made available as it is a major contributing factor in the present bread war where cheap imported flour is being used to oust bakers using Irish flour?

The Deputy is adverting to the subject matter.

Will the figures I am seeking be provided and, if so, when?

As I indicated, no distinction is made in the figures in regard to the materials. The question related to total materials used and this showed that the portion of all home produced materials was 82 per cent in 1985 and 84 per cent in 1986. There is no additional information available.