asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state, in respect of the specific firms investigated and found to be deficient and criticised for such deficiency in recent Committee on Industrial Organisation reports, how many have taken positive steps to remedy these deficiencies by claiming the grants, advisory aids or similar steps offered by the Government.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Remedying of Industrial Deficiencies.
56.
The CIO reports did not specify firms considered by the survey teams to be deficient or single out individual firms for criticism in this regard. It is not possible, therefore, to give the information requested in the Deputy's question.
Surveys of 26 industries were undertaken by the CIO. The reports on 18 of these industries have been published and the draft reports on 7 of the remaining 8 industries have been circulated to the firms which participated in the surveys. The total number of firms which co-operated in the 26 surveys was about 640, but the amount of work and time involved in establishing the number of these firms which have taken steps to avail themselves of the various financial aids and other services offered by the Government would not be justified.
I can say for the Deputy's information, however, that up to 12th June 1964, 339 firms have applied for the special adaptation grants or loans and that approximately 970 applications for technical assistance grants for the employment of industrial consultants, attendance of management and supervisory personnel at training courses, etc. have been received since January 1962. It does not necessarily follow, however, that these applications have come only from firms included in the CIO surveys.
Does the Minister intend to carry out any periodic investigations on the lines of the CIO Reports in order to try to find out what the position is in regard to industry from time to time?
I have already, as announced, established a section for industrial reorganisation within my Department. It is the function of this section to keep a constant check on the efforts made by industries to improve their efficiency by including recommendations made by the CIO. This is a continuing process and I receive a weekly report on their activities.
In reply to Question No. 52 the Minister referred to the use of tariffs as incentives, at what stage or when would he consider the use of that device to persuade recalcitrant firms which are not heeding his warnings?
I told the Deputy already that two tariff reductions of ten per cent each have taken place and another one is expected as from the 1st of January, 1965 and that, having effected that reduction, it is the intention of the Government to review the situation to see what further, if any, steps are necessary to encourage firms to effect measures to increase their efficiency.
Is the Minister saying that instead of a blanket reduction, he might consider specific reductions in relation to specific firms?
I would not like to say anything at this stage in regard to the intention of the Government, except to say that it is the Government's intention to review the situation and to review the progress of industrial adaptation generally before they announce their policy in relation to further tariff cuts.