asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if there is any change of policy on the part of the Industrial Development Authority whereby, in order to attract industries to areas where unemployment exists and the prevailing economic conditions warrant special treatment by way of financial assistance, industrial grants can be paid, at the same rate as applies to underdeveloped areas, to districts not so designated; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Grants.
36.
The answer to the Deputy's question is "No". The Industrial Development Act, 1969, confines the higher rate of grant to areas legally defined as "designated" and the Industrial Development Authority has no power to make grants at this rare available to other areas.
Is there any possibility the Minister might extend the designated area to his own constituency? I take a kind of interest in the industries that are already there.
The Deputy has quite an amount of interest in the industries already there.
Can the Minister say if the IDA have under consideration any question of alteration in the giving of these grants?
I have already stated that the IDA have no power to make grants proper to the designated areas to any other areas.
How does the Minister decide an area is a designated area? Can he extend the list of areas? Is there ever a review that would justify an extension?
The Minister can extend the list. He did so in relation to Clara recently.