asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the action he proposes to take to correct the position whereby Ireland exports only £2 million of agricultural machinery as against imports of £28 million.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Machinery.
6.
The major proportion of imports of agricultural machinery consists of high technology products such as tractors, combine harvesters and other heavy agricultural machinery which are not manufactured in this country. The output of Irish manufacturers meets only a comparatively small share of the Irish market.
The agricultural machinery industry in Ireland needs to develop out of a low technology base into higher technology areas. The IDA is assisting in this process both by encouraging existing Irish producers and endeavouring to locate suitable overseas projects.
A number of projects in the middle technology areas have been assisted by the authority. In addition under its project identification programme the IDA is currently studying the potential for setting up industries to produce products in the medium value range. Any projects identified will be brought to the attention of Irish industrialists.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that there is a wide range of products being imported which could be produced here as is evidenced by the success of the Armour beet harvester made by the Sugar Company? Many other pieces of equipment have been manufactured in my own county.
There is definitely scope for development in farm machinery. One of the problems is the lack of adequate foundry facilities in this country for producing the components which are necessary to go into the making up of agricultural machinery. As the Deputy may be aware there are developments in the IVI Foundry in Athy, which should enable more sophisticated components to be made available to people interested in agricultural machinery and other forms of machinery. The IDA have been particularly active in promoting agricultural machinery industries, and since January, 1975, have approved grants totalling £486,700 to 26 firms to create 229 extra jobs in the agricultural machinery industry. In addition small industry grants have been given to 15 firms to create 127 extra jobs, and re-equipment grants have been granted to three firms to create 102 extra jobs. There is fair evidence of significant activity by the IDA in this area.
Would the Minister agree that there are export concessions for manufacturers? Would it be possible to give some concession to home manufacturers if they produced to be sold at home some of the goods presently imported?
That is a matter of fiscal policy, but it is hoped that many of the Irish manufacturers of agricultural machinery encouraged by the IDA would go into the export market and therefore they would benefit from the existing concession.