Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 Oct 1992

Vol. 423 No. 5

Written Answers. - Employment Subsidy.

Ivor Callely

Question:

53 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the criteria for exporters to qualify for Government subsidy to maintain employment; the number of companies which are expected to qualify; the number of jobs which will be maintained; the budget which has been allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Industry and Commerce (Mr. O'Malley):

As I indicated to the House on 7 and 10 October 1992 the Market Development Fund will be administered by a special management team drawn from the relevant State bodies. The establishment and management of the fund will be supervised and directed by a management board which will comprise the managing directors/chief executives of An Bord Tráchtála, the IDA and FÁS, together with representatives from the Departments of Agriculture and Food, Finance, Industry and Commerce, Labour and the Marine, and a representative from the industry-employer bodies and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

Details of applications for assistance from the fund and the criteria which will apply to applicants are day-to-day matters for the management board and management team. I have made arrangements for the Deputy to be provided with a copy of an application form and the guidelines which accompany it.

The Government have decided that a total of £50 million will be provided for the Market Development Fund for the period up to the end of March 1993. The operation of the fund will be monitored regularly and there will be a formal review at the end of this year. It is not possible at this stage to indicate the number of companies which will qualify or the number of jobs which will be maintained.