asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will give details of the amounts and sources of further grants and loans stated to have been paid from Government sources to Potez Ltd. and associated companies at Naas Road, Dublin referred to in a reply of 27th January 1966; if he will give details of the totals of all grants and loans paid to these companies to date; and the total amounts of grants and loans allocated throughout the country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grants and Loans to Potez Companies.
51.
1. The amount of grant paid is the same figure as given to the Deputy on 23rd June, 1965. This was payable to Potez Aerospace Ltd. The amount invested by Taiscí Stáit in Aviation Development Ltd. is now £914,900.
2. The total amount of industrial grants approved throughout the country up to the 31st March, 1965, was £16,891,552.
3. I have no function in the matter of industrial loans.
Seeing, as is now clear, that a very much larger sum is now either invested in or given by way of grant by the State to the development on the Naas Road, Potez Aerospace Limited, would the Minister not be prepared to make a more detailed statement to the House in view of the great disquiet in relation to this very large investment of Government funds for which there seems to be a very small return, or hope of return, in employment?
It is not accurate to say that the State investment is greater than the Potez investment. The Potez investment is still higher than the State investment. I am awaiting a report from the IDA when I shall be able to give a fuller picture to the House.
May I say, not in a spirit of correction of the Minister, that I did not insinuate or suggest that the Potez investment was not large. I said that the total investment now by the State by way of grant or loan was very much larger than it had been seeing that the amount indicated by way of investment by Taiscí Stáit in Potez Aerospace Limited had greatly been increased. In view of this much larger investment, would the Minister not be prepared to make a fuller statement to the House?
I thought the Deputy said that the State investment was greater. The State investment was no greater than originally decided upon. There has been no extension of the amount decided upon.
But the employment is much lower than was suggested. It was indicated long ago that the number of people employed in this industry would be 1,700. As far as I understand, also, the Minister last week indicated to me that there was some small increase in the number employed.
The employment is very much less than anticipated. The progress to date is very much slower than was planned. I have asked for a report.
When will the Minister be likely to have the report?
I have been promised it quite soon. I could not give a date.
Are we to take it, then, that this report will be made available in the House immediately the Minister receives it?
I shall make the House aware of the implications of the report.
With as full a statement as the Minister thinks proper?
As I think proper.
Does the Minister want a question to be asked in order to raise it or will he put it on the Table of the House? Which way does the Minister prefer?
He will get a question.
We shall think of that. There has been no scarcity of questions up to now.
I want to be quite sure that the question will come from this side of the House.