asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will give details of the proposed scheme for the assistance of small industries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Assistance to Small Industries.
103.
The Small Industries Scheme is designed to make available to small industries an integrated range of services in the financial, managerial, technical and marketing fields. The intention is to initiate the programme for a test period of about 18 months in three selected areas, namely, Carlow-Kilkenny, Limerick-Clare and Leitrim-Roscommon-Sligo. It is hoped that the experience gained during the test period will enable plans to be considered for the extension of the programme to the country as a whole.
During the test period, the programme will be administered by the Industrial Development Authority.
Can the Minister say if the introduction of this scheme will entail legislation to amend the existing Industrial Grants Act? Will a special Bill have to be introduced?
No, certainly not for the pilot scheme which it is intended to work within the existing machinery. It is conceivable that as a result of the test period, it might be necessary to introduce an amendment of the existing legislation. That is one of the reasons—there are a number of others —why it is being done on a test basis first, to try to ascertain what is the best machinery suited to this particular requirement and the best mix, so to speak, of the services available from the State agencies to achieve the maximum result in the small industries. It is being done on a test basis and, when it is completed, we will be in a better position to assess whether it is necessary to amend the legislation.
Has the scheme been initiated yet?
No, but it will be very shortly. The administrative arrangements are practically completed.
Can the Minister tell us more about this scheme because reading the reports he has made it is very difficult to know exactly who is to own these factories, what kind of factories or industries they will be, who will work in them and what kind of goods they will produce? A very clear picture has not come to me from the statements made so far.
That would seem to be a separate question. This question deals with assistance to small industries.
There is a seeming lack of communication between the Minister and his supporter.
Perhaps I might be permitted to explain to the House that, in the first instance, at any rate, the scheme will be designed to assist existing small industries, but it is hoped at a later stage to encourage the establishment of new industries. In the first instance, it is directed towards existing small industries.
The Minister knows the very keen interest I have in this. I take it that when it is initiated, existing small industries may apply for assistance which will be available, and proposals for the establishment of new small industries will not be considered?
No; that would not be correct, perhaps. The whole scheme will be as flexible as we can make it. We are trying to find out what is the best way to do the job. It seems that, in the first instance, we should concentrate on existing industries but that does not preclude the possibility, if a proposal and one that should not per-dustry which is obviously a very sound proposal, and one that should not perhaps be left any longer because it might be lost, that this proposal will be dealt with. In general, I think the effort should be directed at existing small industries. I think we might take it that the general lines on which it will work in the areas I have mentioned will be that an effort will be made to try to assist the existing small industries through local organisations. It is very important that the work being done through local organisations should be done.
On the lines of the Limerick survey?
What is the definition of "small"?
For the administrative purposes of this scheme—again not being tied rigidly—one employing not more than 30 people.
Is there any minimum?
Question No. 104.