Vol. 227 No. 7
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the basis for his statement in the Dáil to the effect that M. Potez has a sum believed to be in the region of £3,000,000 invested in Potez Aerospace, Limited at Baldonnel, County Dublin; and if he will give details of the manner in which this sum is invested in the Baldonnel establishment.
143.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his attention has been drawn to reports of further delays in aeroplane production by Messrs. Potez; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
144.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his attention has been drawn to a recent statement that the bringing of Potez Aerospace Limited into full production will be further delayed; if he will now make a full statement on the whole matter.
With your permission, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 142, 143 and 144 together.
The expenditure on this project was verified by well-known industrial consultants acting on behalf of the State Agencies concerned.
My attention has been drawn to recent newspaper reports which indicated that the Potez company will have to delay further the production of aircraft on a large scale. As indicated in the press reports, the company has decided to make its facilities at Baldonnel available for subcontracting work for the manufacture of aircraft components. I am keeping in close touch with the company in regard to this and to other possible developments and will make a further statement to the House when it is opportune to do so.
Will the Minister accept that £3 million was right?
Yes, I have no reason to doubt it.
It is an extraordinarily large sum.
145.
(South Tipperary) asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce what travel grants are available from his Department for groups travelling abroad for study or sales promotion; how such grants are paid; what are the conditions as to availability; and where forms of application may be obtained.
Under the technical assistance scheme administered by my Department grants of up to 50 per cent of the cost are available to manufacturing firms who send managerial and supervisory personnel abroad to attend training course or to study aspects of industrial organisation. Grants on a similar basis are also available in respect of the study of productivity techniques and procedures abroad by trade union representatives. Grants are also available for visits abroad by representatives of distributive trade associations to study aspects of distribution.
The principal condition is that prior approval of the grant must be obtained before the activity in respect of which the grant is sought commences. Each application is considered on its merits. Before any grant is paid evidence of the expenses incurred must be submitted. No special form of application is prescribed. My Department does not make any grants available in respect of travel abroad for the promotion of sales. Grants for this purpose are provided by Córas Tráchtála, who also lay down the conditions for availability and decide how they are paid.
