Liam Fitzgerald
Question:43 Mr. L. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the progress, if any, that has been made by the trading house scheme in assisting exporters. [4315/96]
Written Answers. - Trading House Scheme.
Tony Killeen
Question:221 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the current position regarding the trading house scheme; the number of licences that have been issued; the number that are trading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4320/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 221 together. The special trading house scheme was set up with the aim of assisting small and mediumsized firms to exploit their export potential. Since the scheme was introduced in 1988, 21 licences have been issued, of which eight are actively trading, according to information available to my Department.
When the scheme was last reviewed in 1992, figures showed that, while only about 20 per cent of initial projected exports were achieved, over 33 per cent were new exports. It was recommended that the scheme continue for a further three years, subject to the incorporation of a number of changes. A further review of the scheme has been initiated in my Department.