asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the total amount of State grants sanctioned for a major industrial undertaking at Sligo (name supplied); the amount paid to date; the proposed date of opening; the employment prospects for the undertaking; and if he will give a progress report on the work completed to date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sligo Industrial Grants.
54.
The particulars requested by the Deputy are as follows:
(i) the total grant approvals for this undertaking amount to £5,130,000 of which £2,991,670 has been paid;
(ii) the promoters hope to commence partial production in autumn 1971, building up to full scale operations by mid-1972;
(iii) the employment potential is 550 at full production with employment initially for about 120;
(iv) buildings are now almost completed and electrical and mechanical installations are partly completed or in progress.
What has been the cause of this extraordinary delay? It is many years since I first heard that this company was to be established. What was the cause of the remarkable delay in this comparatively simple matter?
I do not think there has been any delay.
Three million pounds has been spent and 120 people re-employed.
A total of 550 people will be employed. There will be full-scale operations by mid-1972.
We cannot have these arguments at Question Time.
I am aware of the first payments made. When were they allocated?
The Irish company who operated the undertaking was registered on 15th August, 1969.
The first payments were made in 1967.
I am not so aware. It may be so.
Who has got the £3 million? Is it the Irish registered company or the Italian company involved?
The grant has been paid, so far as my information goes, to the Irish registered company.
The name?
SNIA (Ireland) Limited.