asked the Minister for Finance what progress has been made with the decision announced in Chapter 7 Par. 38 of the Third Programme: Economic and Social Development to set up a special company to assist certain firms which, although potentially viable, are in danger of closing down because of inability to raise capital from commercial sources; in what way this company differs from Taiscí Stáit Teo.; and whether it is proprosed to continue Taiscí Stáit Teo. in existence.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Third Programme: Economic and Social Development.
37.
Enabling legislation will be necessary to give effect to the Government decision to set up the company referred to by the Deputy. The preparation of the Bill is at present in hands in my Department. I hope to be in a position to introduce it soon after the House re-assembles after the summer recess. A statement of the functions of the new company and of the future of Taiscí Stáit Teo. will be made at the Second Reading Stage.
38.
asked the Minister for Finance what steps he is taking to ensure that better knowledge is available on service activities in this country in accordance with the view expressed in the Third Programme: Economic and Social Development, Chapter 8, Par. 7, that such improved knowledge is becoming increasingly important and in view of the statement in par. 9 of that chapter that unless considerable advances can be made in our knowledge of the behaviour of this sector, an increasing amount of national output will not be susceptible to proper measurements in view of what is described as a secular shift from agriculture and industry into services.
A Committee on statistical requirements and priorities has been set up to consider how the basic statistical data can be improved, having regard to the resources available. This committee is considering inter alia, the problem of obtaining better information on the services sector of the economy. The Central Statistics Office is examining the possibility of preparing more detailed information in connection with the national accounts and when improvements have been made to the basic data it is hoped that it will be possible to publish figures in greater detail.