asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce what industrial development is proposed for such towns in County Mayo as Ballina, Killala, Ballycastle, Crossmolina, Foxford, Swinford, Charlestown, Kilkelly, Kiltimagh, Claremorris, Balla, Hollymount, Ballindine, Ballyhaunis, Knock and Irishtown; and if he will state if EEC funds will be made available for this development.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo Industrial Development.
20.
The regional industrial plans of the Industrial Development Authority propose as a target, the creation of a total of 600 new jobs in manufacturing industry in Ballina, Killala, Crossmolina and Foxford during the five years 1973-77 inclusive.
Swinford, Charlestown and Kiltimagh are included in a group of towns with a corresponding target of 650 jobs and Claremorris and Ballyhaunis are included in a group with a target of 300 jobs.
The other towns mentioned by the Deputy are not specifically listed in the plans but these places are eligible for the wide range of grants and financial incentives generally available for industrial development.
While it is expected that financial assistance will be available from EEC sources for regional industrial development, it would not be possible at this stage to indicate the precise distribution of such assistance.
Can the Minister state if inquiries have come from interests in the United States or Britain in connection with these towns?
I had no reason to think this was what the Deputy had in mind. In his question there was no reference to inquiries from the US or elsewhere. The question related to industrial development in towns in County Mayo. I endeavoured to indicate what the IDA had in mind for those towns but I do not have details about individual inquiries that have been received.
I appreciate the Minister's courteous reply. I realise that I did not mention this point in my question. Is the Minister aware that there is a lot of goodwill available to us from people who left these regions and who have prospered in other countries? Many of them might be inclined to come back to the west of Ireland, particularly to my own constituency, to set up industries. Something should be done now to enlist the support of these people, to give them an opportunity of using what we might call a "back door" into Europe.
I agree with the Deputy. It is a question of trying to itemise a list of the things that might be done in this regard. I have no doubt that the IDA would be happy to make contact with anyone from outside who might wish to start an industry here. If any Deputies are aware of people who might wish to return to Ireland to start industries, the IDA would be anxious to co-operate with them.
Can the Minister state if there is any fund available at present in the EEC which would supply money for this kind of project?
No. However, it is hoped that when our regional development plan is acceptable——
I wish to know if there is any fund in the EEC from which such grants can be obtained. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Local Government does not know. I should prefer to hear the Minister's reply.
The Italians have made full use of funds——
The Italians got one grant at the start. There is no such fund and the Minister should not try to fool the people.
There is £400 million——
There is no such fund.
Is it not true that the Commission in Brussels have approved a regional plan which will produce a sum of approximately £400 million in the first instance for the development of regions that are underdeveloped, such as southern Italy and the west of Ireland?
(Interruptions.)
There is no such fund at present.
The referendum is over.
Arising from the reply given by the Minister——
Would Deputy O'Hara please allow Questions to continue? I think he has got sufficient mileage out of this question.
We want to help the west of Ireland. I put it to the Minister that it would be good business if he could interest these people through our Embassy or offices in New York, Boston and Chicago, to arrange a tour of the west of Ireland so that people interested in starting industries could see the suitable locations available in these towns. These people are more than interested in coming here, if the Minister would take some steps in this matter.
I will pass the Deputy's recommendations to the IDA with a view to seeing if they can develop his ideas.