Vol. 532 No. 2
101 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, subject to the new EU State aid rules, the State continues to offer an attractive package to mobile investors; if packages offered incorporate a major differential in favour of Objective One, as the incentive package available is not a problem in terms of attracting projects, rather the problem is the infrastructural deficit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7235/01]
The maximum grant aid rates payable by the industrial development agencies in respect of new industrial investment are becoming increasingly differentiated on a regional basis under the regional aid rates approved by the EU Commission for the period 2000 to 2006. Under this regime, the maximum aid rate for firms in the Border, midland and west regions is 40% for large firms with an additional 15% for SMEs. The maximum aid rate in Dublin is 17.5% for large firms with an additional 10% for SMEs.
The rest of the country is currently in transition, from rates which were close to the BMW rates in 2000 to rates of 18% to 20% for large firms with an additional 10% for SMEs by 2004. In relation to training and research and development grants, there are different grant rates for different types of training or research and development, but the maximum rates of aid payable for the training of workers or as support for research and development projects can be increased by 10% in the BMW area and by 5% in all other areas of Ireland, as compared to what is payable in areas of the EU which are not entitled to pay any regional aid.
