asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the reason for the delay in paying a loan to a company (name supplied).
51.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Company Loan and Grant.
50.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the reason for the failure of his Department to issue the grant due to a company (name supplied).
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 51 together.
I assume the Deputy is referring to a repayable technical assistance grant and an adaptation grant in favour of the company named.
I have approved a repayable technical assistance grant for this company. The company advised my Department that they were transferring their assets to a new company to which they wished the grant to be paid. The agreement governing the grant cannot be executed nor can payment of the grant be made until the transfer of assets has been legally effected by the company.
Payment of the adaptation grant is a matter for An Foras Tionscal. I have had enquiries made and I am informed that, in accordance with the terms of the grant offer made by An Foras Tionscal, payments are made on the submission of certificates of expenditure by the company. The proportion of the grant due to the company on this basis has already been paid.
Will the Minister explain why there was so much delay in dealing with the company's applications for a technical assistance grant between November, 1965, and June, 1966, and again between June, 1966, and November, 1966?
The Deputy might get a more accurate answer to that if he asks the company.
Could the Minister say what number of people are unemployed at the moment as a result of this difficulty about these grants?
No, I could not. In case there is doubt I want to assure the House that there has been no delay on the part of my Department in dealing with these applications.
Could the Minister say on what date he was notified that the transfer agreement between the two companies was completed?
It has not been completed yet.
My information is that it was completed on the 19th September and the Minister was so advised, and that it was sent for stamping on the same date.
The information available to me is that the process has not yet been completed.
There seems to be some hiatus between the two files and the Minister's Department.
Is the Minister aware that in 1965 the cost of the work to be carried out was in the region of £45,000 and that then the company, Rossmore Collieries asked for a technical assistance grant. Again in 1966 the company, in view of the Departmental attitude, prepared a new scheme at a cost of £30,000 and there was the eventual offer from an Foras Tionscal and again there was considerable delay. I want to ask the Minister is he aware that, due to the delay in his Department in the paying of these grants, there is unemployment at the moment in the mine? There has been a strike in the Rossmore Collieries and, due to the fact that the money has not been available yet and no guarantee given, the company is not in a position at the moment to pay increased wages? Would he at this late hour consider the matter and give an undertaking that this money will be made available to the company? Considering that there have been thousands of pounds—something in the region of £20,000—already put into new development by the present director, Mrs. Fay——
This is a long speech.
——surely the Minister can give some undertaking at least to have these grants paid?
There can be no question of a grant being paid in order to pay wages or increase wages. I do not accept that there has been delay in my Department or in An Foras Tionscal which has contributed to the difficulties which have arisen. The situation is complicated. I am not saying that the delay is solely due to the proprietor but the actions which have been taken by the proprietor have not helped to expedite the payment of money. For very good reasons perhaps these actions were taken but they have not helped to expedite the payment of money.
Surely the Minister appreciates that the reason for the application for this money is not to pay increased wages, but that the company has already spent the money for the purposes for which the application is made from their own funds? If my information is correct, a prepared agreement was completed on the 19th September, and the Minister's Department was so informed. It was then transmitted to the Revenue Commissioners for stamping. Will he now take immediate steps to ensure that the money is at once paid?
I will check all of what the Deputy says and, as far as it can be expedited by my Department, it will be done.
Could the Minister say how many days it would take after the investigation?
It would be a matter of a day or two, I think.
Would it be next week——
I cannot allow any more Supplementaries. Question No. 62, Dr. O'Connell.
If the Minister discovers the dates I have given are not correct, will he correct me?
I will do that.