andMr. Lyons asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the number of personnel in each IDA and SFADCo office responsible for promoting small industries; and the budget allocated to each.
Written Answers. - Promotion of Small Industries.
356.
Responsibility for the administration of the Industrial Development Authority's small industry programme is undertaken by its Small Industries Division which is located at its headquarters in Dublin. At present there are 49 staff engaged exclusively in the promotion of small industries. The direct cost to the IDA for salaries, travelling expenses, advertising, consultancy in respect of small industry activity was £884,000 in 1982.
The Small Industries Division carries out its function of promoting small manufacturing businesses in conjunction with the county development officers and where necessary with the IDA's regional managers and staff. It was recently decided by the Government that a small industry specialist should be assigned to each of the IDA's Regional Offices (excluding the mid-west for which SFADCo has responsibility) with responsibility for the general development of small firms. Arrangements are now being made to implement this decision.
Shannon Free Airport Development Company Ltd. which is charged with responsibility for the intensive development of small indigenous industry in the mid-west region and in west and southwest Offaly, has 24 people engaged in the promotion of small industry. The direct cost incurred by SFADCo in 1982 was £590,000.