asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether any industries are excluded from the scope of the scheme for adaptation grants; and, if so, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers - Industrial Adaptation Grants.
34.
The legislation providing for these grants applies to all industrial undertakings. It is the function of An Foras Tionscal to determine the eligibility of individual applications having regard to the circumstances and merits of the case.
35.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the number of adaptation grants approved by An Foras Tionscal to date, and the amount involved.
36.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state in respect of each month since the introduction of the scheme for adaptation grants to industry (a) the number of grant applications made, and (b) the number of grants approved.
With the permission of An Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Nos. 35 and 36 together.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to his question on 7th November, 1963 (Dáil Debates Volume 205, Column 1168) indicating that it was intended to publish these particulars in the annual report of An Foras Tionscal. While I do not think it desirable that details should be furnished prior to the presentation of the report to both Houses, the position as at 29th February, 1964, was that 106 applications had been approved representing a grant allocation of £2,892,511 and a total capital investment of £16,524,315.
In any event, the records as now maintained would not make the information sought in question No. 36 readily available in the form requested.
37.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has received any complaints about the delay in approving of adaptation grants.
Since these grants were introduced in February, 1963 I have received only one complaint of delay in approval.
I am satisfied that An Foras Tionscal are fully alive to the importance of ensuring that applications for adaptation grants will be dealt with as expeditiously as possible.