asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if a suitable project has yet been found for the advance factory at Ballybofey, County Donegal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Advance Factory.
43.
I have been informed by the Industrial Development Authority that the Ballybofey advance factory has been brought to the notice of many industrialists but so far no definite project has emerged for it. The authority are continuing their efforts to find a suitable industry for the factory and as an additional incentive are providing an initial two-year rent-free period on the building.
Without casting any aspersions on the ability of the IDA, can the Minister say if advance factories generally are advertised abroad?
They are.
Are they advertised in suitable trade magazines?
Yes. They are advertised both in the general sense of published advertisements and in the specific sense of being brought directly to the notice of industrialists and people in the media.
Regarding this and other factories along the Border, and since the concession of a two-year rent and rates free period is now four years old, would the Minister not agree that it is necessary at this stage to give further incentives in order to attract industrialists?
There are two matters there. The first is one of fact. The advance factory was completed in May, 1973. The concession could not be four years old until May, 1977. For the record it is a little less than two years old.
I said: "this and other factories along the Border" and the concession is four years old.
One could not give a blanket answer to the Deputy's question because the circumstances vary. For example, there is the question in that area of some cases being more intense than others. It is correct that the IDA operate on the principle that the greatest effort must go to those cases in which there is the greatest need. The determination of greatest need is influenced by considerations of alternative employment available. The factory referred to here is within a fairly short distance of the Courtaulds project at Letterkenny and that concern will take up an enormous amount of labour when it is in production fully. That is a relevant consideration. One does not want a blanket solution but solutions in areas of the greatest need.
Is the Minister aware that the concession of a two-year rent and rates free period was not a blanket effort, that it was given in respect of such factories in County Donegal and is not applicable blanketwise?
The Deputy is broadening the scope of the question.
Since, evidently, this concession is not of sufficient energy to produce what is required, would the Minister consider, not blanketwise but in the special cases to which this concession applies, giving further special concessions?
The Deputy is enlarging on the question.
Such as cheap power.
Or subsidised transport.
I cannot anticipate what would be the answer but I would be happy to raise the matter with the IDA.