asked the Minister for Transport and Power (a) as at the latest date for which figures are available the number of people in actual employment in the Shannon Industrial Zone (i) in a manufacturing, processing or in any way producing goods for export, and the different firms employing such people, and (ii) in building operations, and the greatest number employed at any time in (i) and (ii); (b) for the latest twelve months for which figures are available the value of the goods manufactured, processed or produced by firms in the Zone which have been exported; (c) the contribution over such twelve months period made to the firms for such exports (i) by the State by way of grant, loan or remission of tax or other impost and (ii) by local authorities by way of remission of rates; and (d) the number of buildings erected in the Zone, at State expense or with State or local authority contributions, the cost of such buildings, and how many of them are at present in use for export business.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shannon Industrial Zone.
(a) On the 30th November, 1960, the number of people employed in the Shannon Free Airport Industrial Estate (i) in manufacturing, processing, or in any way producing goods for export was 287 and (ii) in factory building operations was 208. The greatest numbers employed at any time in (i) was the figure of 287 already mentioned and in (ii) was 240. Employment is given by the following firms:— Progress International Ltd., Lana-Knit (Ireland) Ltd., Sony Ltd., Standard Pressed Steel International Ltd., Rippen Ltd., Chinchilla (Shannon) Limited.
(b) In the case of one firm commercial production has not yet commenced but the machinery is being installed. In the case of three of the firms some of the machinery for the first planned stage of production has not yet been put into operation but has been ordered. Separate statistics are not kept of exports from the Shannon Free Airport Industrial Estate. In the six months period 1st April to 30th September, 1960, 186,212 lbs. of goods produced by the factories were exported by air.
(c) Grants under Section 8 of the Shannon Free Airport Development Company Limited Act to the 30th November, 1960, amounted to £147,000. No contribution was made to the firms for exports (i) by the State by way of loan but firms may qualify in due course for tax remissions under the Finance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1958 and (ii) the question of remission of rates has not so far arisen as the factory buildings have not yet been valued for rating purposes.
(d) With the exception of the special factory constructed by the piano manufacturer to his own specification, the factory bays in the zone are built to a standard design by the Shannon Free Airport Development Company Ltd. and are financed out of State capital invested in the Company under Section 2 of the Shannon Free Airport Development Company Ltd. Act, 1959. To date 10 days have been completed; a further 10 are under construction and will be completed by 31st March, 1961. The cost of these 20 bays is estimated at £890,000. At present nine bays are occupied by firms engaged in manufacture for export.
Could the Minister state if it is intended in future to keep separate figures for the export of goods from this zone in view of the fact that when the Bill setting up the zone went through the Dáil the Taoiseach said it was only an experiment? In view of that, is it not a fair suggestion that separate figures for exports should be kept and made available?
That would have to be considered. At the moment separate figures are not available.
Would the Minister keep that in mind?
The matter would have to be considered in relation to the statistical matter from the State Departments. I cannot possibly give a reply.
Would the Minister consider it desirable?
It might be considered desirable. I would have to look into it.