asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is satisfied with the rate of adaptation in industry; the amount of grants given last year for adaptation purposes in Irish industry; and whether he is satisfied that the future prospects for adaptation in industry are encouraging.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Adaptation.
62.
I am reasonably satisfied with the progress of physical adaptation, that is, modernisation of plant and machinery and factory buildings which has been stepped up very substantially in the last two years. During the year ended 31st December, 1967, grants approved for payment under the Adaptation Grants Scheme amounted to £5.9 million with planned capital investment of £26.5 million. The total number of grants approved up to the end of 1967 was 1,315 compared with 350 up to the 31st December, 1965, and the indications are that a very large number of smaller firms have decided to undertake schemes of adaptation.
The conditions we have to face in free trade call, however, for a much greater effort in the matter of nonphysical adaptation, particularly in relation to rationalisation of production and co-operation in marketing. The Industrial Re-organisation Branch of my Department are concentrating their efforts on promoting these aspects of adaptation.