Vol. 457 No. 1
165 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the percentage of companies that received Industrial Development Authority grants within the past decade that are still operating; the percentage of firms that returned their grants on their closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15039/95]
As the Deputy will be aware, the payment of industrial development grants was devolved from the Industrial Development Authority on 1 January 1994 to IDA Ireland and Forbairt in relation to foreign and indigenous investment respectively. Bearing this in mind, the information sought is as follows: 71 per cent of establishments that received IDA Ireland grant assistance between 1985 and 1994 are still in operation; and 59 per cent of establishments that received assistance from Forbairt in the same period are still in existence. This latter figure excludes feasibility grant payments because the large volume of these applications would distort the result.
The second part of the Deputy's question cannot be answered as phrased, as some establishments would have closed in this period but have yet to repay grants. In addition, some establishments which closed prior to 1985 would also have repaid grants during the ten year period. However, the following information may be of assistance: IDA Ireland — in the period 1985-94, a total of 161 overseas establishments, no longer operating, repaid grants. Forbairt — in the period 1985-94, a total of 269 Irish companies, no longer operating, repaid grants. In the time available it is not possible to be more precise, but I will forward additional information to the Deputy by letter.
