asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the steps he intends to take to assist employment specifically, as opposed to capital assistance and development, in Irish industry; and whether he has satisfied himself with the existing policy in this regard.
Written Answers. - Employment Aid.
18.
The Deputy will be aware that in the Programme for National Recovery the primary objective of policy for manufacturing industry involves creating approximately 20,000 extra jobs on average per year over the next ten years.
In line with the policy measures set out in the programme, details of revised national industrial incentives and services were announced on 7 April 1988. The new arrangements involve a greater use of employment grants in small industry projects and a heavier emphasis on performance clauses in grant agreements for larger projects linking the payment of grants to pre-agreed performance measures, principally job creation. Further measures were outlined to accelerate the shift in State support from fixed assets to R&D and management development.
I am satisfied with the progress being made to date in the implementation of policy objectives.