asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if a company (name supplied) in Roscommon were using secondhand machinery; and if they received any State subvention on foot thereof.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Roscommon Factory Equipment.
18.
I understand that the machinery used by the company concerned in its factory was new when installed and that they received a grant of £57,776 towards its cost from An Foras Tionscal.
Is the Minister aware that the workers all state that no new machinery was installed in this factory: that it was all secondhand machinery? Further, is any check made, when the State give grants, to see that new machinery is installed? The workers concerned are prepared to work for nothing to prove to any investor that this is a viable proposition—and would, and could be, a viable proposition if new machinery had been installed from the beginning. Will the Minister take any action against people who get State grants for new machinery but who install secondhand and worn-out machinery?
The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is that I am not so aware. The answer to the second part of the question is that checks are carried out. The answer to the third part of the Deputy's question is that, in view of that, there is no necessity to give the undertaking which he seeks. From my knowledge of the situation of this company I think it is without foundation to suggest that, even if the machinery had been secondhand and were now changed to new machinery, it would be viable. I do not think this is correct.
When were those checks carried out to ascertain if it was new machinery? Would the Minister be prepared to have a public inquiry to see——
Deputies
Ah.
This is £200,000 of State money. There are too many smart alecks getting grants and not complying with the conditions. Would the Minister set up an inquiry to hear the views of the workers? I shall abide by the results of the inquiry.
I am not prepared to set up a public inquiry based on the assertions of the Deputy. If he could produce assertions other than those by himself, I should certainly be prepared to consider the matter further.
Are checks carried out on every piece of machinery that comes in or are they just spot checks?
The plant of every factory, when being equipped, has to be inspected. It is inspected by an engineer. Payments of grants are made only when the machinery is installed. The cost is verified; the machinery is inspected as to its newness and to ensure that it corresponds with what is proposed. In every case, there is a check.
Are these engineers employed by IDA?
In some cases they are consultants from outside.
Is the Minister suggesting——
I am calling Question No. 19.
——that invariably a grant is not paid unless the machinery is new?
Unless it is agreed to give a grant towards machinery that is not new, but such a case would be exceptional.
But this has been done?
I think it has been done in about three cases which concerned a certain kind of machinery—machinery that may have been built to last for 100 years and might be ten years old when the grant was given.