Vol. 410 No. 7
67 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if it is the policy of the IDA to give special financial aid to furniture and joinery firms who can prove they have the ability to trade internationally; the criteria used to select such applicants; and if the processing of such grants is administered by the local IDA offices or directly from IDA headquarters in Dublin.
There is over-capacity in the furniture and joinery industries in the home market. The IDA's policy, therefore, is to support companies with the ability to grow through increased exports. Companies supported by the IDA receive the normal range of IDA incentives. Decisions to support companies have regard to such factors as the company's track record, strength of the existing management and financial resources as well as the ability to achieve sustained growth and enhanced competitiveness in international markets.
The internal procedures in place in the IDA for the processing of grant applications are a matter for the Authority.
