asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce (a) the number of foreign companies established in Ireland since 1960, (b) the total moneys given to these companies by way of (i) grants and (ii) loans, (c) the total investment in Ireland by these companies from their own resources, (d) the total employment provided by these companies, (e) the number of such companies which have now ceased production, and (f) the total moneys recovered from companies which ceased production.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Foreign Companies in Ireland.
74.
I assume the Deputy's question refers to new industries which have received grant assistance and the particulars are as follows:—
(a) During the period since 1st April, 1960, there were 60 firms established which were promoted wholly or mainly by non-nationals.
(b) The total amount of industrial grants approved by An Foras Tionscal for these firms was £6,227,288.
(c) The total investment in the undertakings exclusive of grants was £16,576,000.
(d) Information on the employment afforded by the firms is not available.
(e) and (f) Three of these firms have ceased production and there has not been any recovery of the grants paid.
I have no function in the matter of industrial loans.
Has the Minister particular difficulty in furnishing information under (d)?
The information that can be got is the employment potential, but different firms are at different levels of development and have not reached their full potential.
Surely the Minister could tell us the amount of employment provided to date?
I have not been able to get those figures.
It means asking 66 companies how many are employed.
I do not think so. I shall see if that information can be got. It is rather difficult to assemble it.
Surely, in a simple circular, 66 firms should be able to disclose the numbers employed.
Not every firm thinks it would be desirable.
Of course they do not.
They themselves have made a much bigger investment than did the State.
Some of them.
The present Minister for Finance, on introducing a particular measure in the House, gave us certain information on the amount of employment then being provided and the potential employment.
I shall see if I can get the information but I should like Deputies to realise that we must not discourage people from setting up industries. These people are not taking everything and giving nothing. A much bigger amount has been invested in industry than has been made available in grants.
The Minister must admit that a fair amount has been invested by the State and surely it is not too much to expect that this information would be made available. Surely we are entitled to it.
I do not disagree on the entitlement aspect. We must, however, do everything to encourage the setting up of industries and these firms should not be regarded with animosity or antagonism.
We should be more anxious to encourage them if the figures were encouraging.