Vol. 458 No. 5
48 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the dates and purposes of meetings this year of the task force on industry adjustment; the investments recommended by the task force; its programme of action; and the companies it is currently dealing with. [17253/95]
The task force for industry adjustment held meetings on 14 March and 21 April, 1995; its primary purpose is to identify areas of business at risk from competitive forces and to propose competitive strategies.
The task force has approved a "change management programme" which is designed to facilitate companies in implementing initiatives to increase their competitiveness. Forbairt and SFADCo will be responsible for administering this programme.
The new programme is targeted in particular at providing grant support to enable traditional industries to undertake initiatives in areas such as developing business systems, strengthening management and other key personnel resources, partnership arrangements with Irish or foreign companies, environmental management etc. Estimated total expenditure on this programme will be IR£17 million of which 50 per cent will be provided under EU Structural Funds and the remaining 50 per cent by industry itself. I expect to launch the programme formally within the next few weeks.
