asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the total number of applications from industrialists received in the past year by the west regional office of the IDA; the number of firm commitments; the expected number of new jobs which will be available; and the location of these industries.
Written Answers. - Industry Applications.
82.
Mr. Kitt
As I have indicated previously in replies to similar questions in respect of other areas many approaches by firms to the Industrial Development Authority are tentative and do not advance to the stage where a formal application for a grant is made.
I propose for the purpose of the Deputy's question therefore to define an application for grant assistance as a proposal in which a detailed submission has been made to the board of IDA or an IDA grant subcommittee. Most of such applications are approved for grant-aid and are regarded as firm commitments.
I have been informed by the authority that the latest period for which they have figures available is the year ended March, 1975. In that period 38 projects involving a job potential of 2,588 were approved in respect of the west region. Eight of these are new projects and the locations are Clifden, Galway city, Gort, Mountbellew, Ballina and Killala. The other 30 are re-equipment and expansions of existing firms in the following locations: Ballinasloe, Galway city, Loughrea, Moycullen, Oughterard, Tuam, Ballina, Kilconnell, Ballindine, Ballinrobe, Athenry, Ballyhaunis, Castlebar, Claremorris, Cong, Foxford, Kiltimagh, Shrule and Westport.
The Deputy will appreciate, of course, that figures for one year in isolation do not reflect accurately the industrial progress in any particular region.