The information sought by the Deputy relates to day-to-day administration of industrial policy, which is the responsibility of the Industrial Development Authority and is not, therefore, a matter in which I have any direct function.
However, I understand that the IDA consider that there is sufficient existing manufacturing capacity in concrete products generally within the State. Therefore, projects seeking grant assistance can only be supported if certain well defined criteria are met. The Authority are only justified in using State funds to provide grant assistance where developments are centred on the production of internationally traded products capable of establishing export markets or displacing currently identifiable imports.