asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will give details of the State assistance available for the establishment of new industries in (a) Shannon Airport, (b) County Limerick, and (c) County Kerry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Establishment of New Industries.
21.
Details of State assistance available for the establishment of new industries are as follows: Shannon Airport Industrial Estate:
A grant of up to the full cost of building and up to half the cost of machinery is available. Alternatively, factories, warehouses or office accommodation can be rented at economic or subsidised rents with the option to purchase, or sites can be provided on which a company may construct its own building. There is total exemption from income tax and corporation profits tax arising from exports, up to 1983. Grants are available for the training of workers.
Co. Kerry and those parts of Co. Limerick which are scheduled as undeveloped:
Grants are available of up to two-thirds of the total costs of factory sites, site development, factory buildings and machinery, plant and equipment. The local authority is empowered to grant two-thirds remission of rates for ten years on premises provided by means of a grant by An Foras Tionscal. Profits arising from exports are exempted from income tax and corporation profits tax for ten years, up to 1979-80.
Co. Limerick (outside the undeveloped areas):
A grant of up to one-half of the total amount of the costs of factory sites, site development, factory buildings and machinery, plant and equipment is available, but, where An Foras Tionscal are of the opinion that there are sound economic reasons why the undertaking cannot be established or developed in the undeveloped areas and other exceptional circumstances exist, a grant of up to two-thirds of the total amount of such costs can be made. Profits arising from exports are exempted from income tax and corporation profits tax for ten years, up to 1979-80.
Facilities available in all three areas:
The training grants available for industries located in Shannon are also available in Co. Limerick and Co. Kerry. Where a grant is made towards the cost of providing buildings, or machinery and equipment, An Foras Tionscal may make a grant towards the capital cost of the provision of electricity by the Electricity Supply Board. Any such grant made may not exceed one-half of the capital cost payable to the ESB. An Foras Tionscal may guarantee the payment of money payable to the ESB in respect of the capital cost of the provision of electricity supply.
With regard to Limerick outside the undeveloped areas, does the Minister envisage any change inside the next year?
The Minister for Industry and Commerce has already announced that the whole of the structure and operation of the IDA and the concept of growth centres and other matters relating to industrial development are under active consideration.
Will the Minister make a statement in regard to the inclusion of Limerick in the industrial area prior to the by-election?
As the Deputy knows, if there were a possibility of an industry in Limerick itself or in any part which is not now in the undeveloped areas, and if in the opinion of An Foras Tionscal, it could not be established in the undeveloped areas, a maximum grant of two-thirds could be provided for building and machinery.
Will the Minister now consider the inclusion of the Limerick city area in the Shannon Industrial Estate, as promised by a Minister not so very long ago? In view of the forthcoming by-election this would be an appropriate time to make that statement.
All these matters are under active consideration and the Minister for Industry and Commerce has already referred to the inclusion of the area around Limerick as being of special interest in connection with the possible extension of the growth centre principle.
Question No. 22 postponed.