Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2014
464. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to increase the amount of Industrial Development Agency grant aid given to FDI companies who locate in County Kerry and to put the county on the same level as counties Galway, Limerick and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13351/14]
View answerThe Regional Aid Guidelines enable the State’s industrial development agencies to pay grants, at enhanced rates, to businesses in order to support new investment and new employment in productive projects in Ireland's most disadvantaged regions. This helps the convergence of these regions with the more advantaged regions of the Union. All such grants come from the exchequer, i.e. there is no EU or other external funding.
For the 2014-2020 Regional Aid Guidelines, all Irish areas designated for Regional Aid will have the same aid rates. Those rates will be 30% for small companies (under 50 employees) 20% for medium sized companies (50 to 249 employees) and 10% for large companies.
My Department is currently finalising the revised Regional Aid Map for Ireland. It is expected that the proposed map will be sent to the Commission for consideration shortly.
It is important to note that all of the Country, including those areas not entitled to Regional Aid, can qualify for other forms of State investment e.g. Research & Development Aid, SME Investment Aid, Training Aid, and Aid for Environmental protection etc.
