asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is satisfied with the progress being made by CTT in (a) developing new and existing markets and industry sectors; (b) developing support services for exporters, especially small exporters; and (c) implementing the Sectoral Development Committee report on marketing.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Market Development.
1.
The White Paper on Industrial Policy and SDC report on marketing indicate that deficiencies in marketing affect the performance of Irish industry. They identify the need for a market-led approach and suggest a greater emphasis on support by the different agencies in marketing, product development and technology acquisition.
CTT, as the State's export agency, bears, primarily, the responsibility for implementing the marketing elements of the White Paper in conjunction with my Department and in consultation, as appropriate, with the other agencies involved. Substantial extra funds have been made available to CTT for those responsibilities and these are being used to address fundamental marketing deficiencies.
This is an ongoing process and my concern is to maximise long term support for Irish exporters with the most potential to enhance our export performance. In particular, I want to see a planned, systematic approach to the assistance we give firms to improve their strategic capabilities.
The Minister is aware that in March 1985 the sectoral report on marketing was published and it was recommended that the primary responsibility for marketing would rest with CTT. It was understood that an inter-agency group would be set up. Will the Minister indicate if the inter-agency group have been set up for the purposes recommended in the sectoral report on marketing?
Yes, the inter-agency group were established by the management committee on industrial policy to give effect to the SDC recommendation.
What agencies are involved in the group and what recommendations have they made, if any, for the development of marketing strategies for exports?
I have not the information the Deputy requires on this file. The question refers specifically to CTT. I am pleased to note that the money allocated to CTT in 1984 was £17.7 million and this has increased to £25.3 million in 1986.
The question does refer to the Sectoral Development Committee report at part (c) of my question. The Minister agrees that the agency group have been set up. I understood from the SDC report that they were set up to prepare an action plan for the development of marketing. It seems strange that the Minister would not know what they were set up for. Has any report issued to him from that group?
No. I do not have any report. The group have not been in existence for very long. The first meeting took place in February this year and a report of the meeting is awaited from CTT. It is CTT we are talking about and the thrust of CTT policy.
The Minister said extra funds had been made available to CTT. Would the Minister indicate the amount of extra funds given to CTT specifically to implement the new marketing strategy?
The Deputy is asking a very particular question. Money is given to CTT on a block grant basis and they have the expertise to use that money. I am pleased to be able to tell the Deputy that following the publication of the White Paper on Industrial Policy CTT introduced a number of new schemes to assist firms in this area. These schemes included the market entry development scheme, market research schemes, group marketing schemes for small exporters and schemes to assist the building of marketing strengths in firms. The White Paper pointed quite clearly in the direction of marketing in giving a thrust to the development of our exports and the development of those industries dependent on exports. I am sure the Deputy appreciates that the substantially increased funding between 1984 and 1986 is a positive response by the Government to the requirements of Irish industry and its marketing needs.
That is hardly the answer to the question I asked but I presume I will not get the information since the Minister has not got it.