asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the number of industries which have ceased operations in the period 1951 to 1957, the total amount received by such industries by way of State subvention, and the amount of such subventions repaid to the State.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Closing of State-Assisted Industries.
Information is not available in the records of my Department as to the total number of industrial concerns which ceased operations during the years 1951 to 1957. During that period, six firms which received financial assistance from the State under the provisions of the Trade Loan (Guarantee) Acts, 1939 to 1954, or the Undeveloped Areas Act, 1952, ceased to operate. The total amount paid by the State in the form or grants or in fulfilment of trade loan guarantees to these firms was £187,734. The total amount repaid to date to the State in respect of trade loan guarantees is £7,503 but it is expected that some further sums, which cannot at present be estimated, will be received by the Exchequer when the realisation of assets of some of these firms is completed. Grants under the Undeveloped Areas Act, 1952, are non-repayable.