asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the progress, if any, which has been made towards the reopening of the tannery at Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary, by the present owner or by way of a co-operative endeavour by the former employees who have already raised a sizeable amount of capital and who possess the expertise and technical know-how to operate the tannery on a viable basis; the research or feasibility study which is being carried out with a view to operating the tannery on a co-operative basis, with the approval of the owner; if he will avail of every opportunity open to him and the agencies under his control and intervene directly in negotiations with all concerned, for the speedy reopening of the tannery; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Carrick-on-Suir (Tipperary) Tannery.
Limerick East): I understand that the Industrial Development Authority has approved grant assistance to the International Hide Group of Kilkenny towards the phased opening of their tannery plants, including Carrick-on-Suir, in the south east region. The opening of the plants is to be phased by the promoters so as to facilitate their establishment on a sound commercial basis.
I understand that the IDA is also providing support to a group of former workers of Irish Leathers Limited for the carrying out of a feasibility study on establishing a tannery project in Carrick-on-Suir. A report on the initial phase of the study is expected shortly. The consideration of proposals involving assistance by way of grant or by other forms of capital funding is a day to day matter for the agencies concerned and consequently is one in which I have no function. However, my concern to see the establishment of viable commercial investment projects to provide employment in the Carrick-on-Suir area is known to those agencies.