asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is perturbed that short time is being worked in certain footwear factories; if adaptation plans for footwear factories have been approved as to grant and loan; and what are the total amounts of grants and loans approved.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Footwear Factories.
26.
I am aware that short time is being worked in certain footwear factories. This is, of course, an unwelcome development, but I do not think it should be regarded as a major setback to the development of the footwear industry or to its plans for adaptation. Grants totalling £77,575 have already been approved for 12 footwear firms in respect of adaptation expenditure of £358,000 and two further applications are under examination. One adaptation loan was approved, but the firm concerned has since applied for an adaptation grant and is included in the figures I have just given.