asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the criteria used by the Industrial Development Authority in grant-aiding the fish processing sector; and whether these criteria coincide in every way with those applied by the European Agricultural Guarantee and Guidance Fund in grant-aiding that sector.
Written Answers. - Fish Processing Industry.
26.
Limerick East): The Industrial Development Authority apply the following general criteria in assessing the type of company, in the agricultural processing sector, that will qualify for support:
—companies capable of, and with a commitment to, new product and market development;
—companies of sufficient size and with sufficient resources to operate effectively on export markets; and
—companies which have performed well in the past.
In addition, the authority when assessing applications from the fish processing sector, use the following criteria:
—projects are encouraged which involve the secondary processing of fish, i.e. smoking, jarring, canning, portioning, breading and pates;
—projects will be supported which involve the expansion of primary processing facilities associated with a move into secondary processing, or into new species of fish for which there is potential for substantial growth in landings;
—projects involving the provision of primary processing facilities at minor ports will be considered on a regional basis;
—grant assistance for projects involving desirable modernisation and efficiency improvements to existing facilities will be available at the minimum level necessary to enable the project to qualify for assistance under the European Agricultural Guarantee and Guidance Fund; and
—grant assistance will not be available for projects involving the provision of primary facilities to process species for which there is already sufficient capacity.
IDA criteria, in grant-aiding the fish processing sector, do not coincide in every way with those applied by the European Agricultural Guarantee and Guidance Fund. The criteria applied by the European Agricultural Guarantee and Guidance Fund are set out in Official Journals of the European Communities Nos. (i) C152 of 10 June 1983, pages 2 to 6 (ii) C56 of 29 February 1984, page 4 and (iii) C78 of 26 March 1985, page 7.