asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce what industries are globally disqualified from receiving grants, either for new industrial projects or re-equipment; and the reasons for such disqualification.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Grants.
10.
In the administration of the grants schemes under the Industrial Development Act, 1969, the Industrial Development Authority give grants for new industries in all cases where the merits of the project justify it and where the criteria laid down in the Act are complied with. Re-equipment grants are approved only in cases where it is necessary to adapt to meet competition from outside and the main reason for withholding these grants from an industry is that the threat of such competition is not sufficiently great in the particular industry to warrant payment of a grant. The position in regard to such industries is kept under review.
Would the Minister not agree that in the case of the joinery or furniture industry competition from outside is not the thing that is worrying? The fact is, as far as I know, they are suggesting that they are not giving them the grants because they cannot continue under Common Market conditions.
There have been grants paid to the joinery industry.
That was before this but has that now been stopped?
Are grants at present being paid to the joinery industry?
I have no information which indicates that grants are not at present being paid to the joinery industry.
I have information that they are not.
Does the Minister know that a number of furniture industries in Navan, including the biggest one in the town, have closed down and can he give any indication as to why these closed down? Is it not true that they have not been able to get grants from the Department for the purpose of carrying on?
No, I know that some joinery industries have run into difficulty in this regard but certainly the joinery industry is not on the list of sensitive sectors where any decision has been taken about the non-qualification for grants.
Would the Minister say in the case of a furniture factory, which employed 140 people and which closed down several weeks ago, that that is just running into difficulty? It is a little more than that.
It is more than that, but let us not assume that the closure took place because the Department or the IDA did not give a grant for further development.
Did they or did they not?
I do not know.
The Minister has said he has a list of global exclusions. Can he give us the list of industries where there is not a grant available?
I will, with the Ceann Comhairle's permission. In relation to new industrial grants there is the question of the non-availability of grants for the soft drink industry. The motor assembly industry is involved, the ground limestone industry, the grain-drying industry. Then there are a number of sensitive industries where individual cases must be considered on their merits. These cover spinning and weaving, jute, bacon factories, food processing, milling, cold storage, foot-wear, concrete products, timber products, printing and publishing, fertilisers and bakery. Timber products can be so wide-reaching as to take in joinery.
The furniture industry has suffered in the Navan area. More than that have closed down.
We cannot debate this question all evening.
Does the Minister think there should be these global exclusions? Does he not think there should be the right of the Board of the IDA to give a grant where it is necessary and where it is going to provide employment in any industry?
This is where the difficulty arises from being asked to spell out the industries. I went out of my way to say, in connection with that final list I read out, that it is not a global exclusion. It is a question of individual cases being considered on their merits. Will the House take this assurance from me in relation to the further development of my reply? Our Estimate is going on at present and I could deal pretty fully with this particular aspect in my reply.