asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if the extension to a mineral water and bottling factory will qualify for IDA grants; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - IDA Grants.
34.
The soft drinks industry is at present excluded from the re-equipment and modernisation grant scheme administered by the IDA. The industry was also excluded from the adaptation grant scheme formerly administered by An Foras Tionscal.
The main reason for the exclusion of the industry is that there was strong evidence at the time the decision was taken that the industry would not be susceptible to import competition. It had been decided that capital grants for adaptation and modernisation of industry should be concentrated on the industrial sectors which were likely to meet import competition in free trade conditions.
The Soft Drink and Beer Bottlers' Association have made representations to the IDA to the effect that changes in the soft drinks industry, particularly in regard to distribution methods, leave the industry open to import competition and these representations are at present under active consideration by the IDA.