Bernard Allen
Ceist:59 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the plans, if any, he has to extend the incentives for improved competitiveness in clothing and footwear to other sectors.
Written Answers. - Incentives for Clothing and Footwear Sectors.
The initiatives to improve competitiveness in the clothing and footwear industries were introduced in response to the special needs of these sectors and I have no plans to extend them to other sectors.
There are however, a wide range of incentives available to encourage development and growth in the various other industrial sectors. All the measures under the Industry Operational Programme which is designed to give effect to Chapter 4 of the National Development Plan are specifically geared towards improving the competitiveness of Irish Industry. In addition a number of European Commission (EU) Initiatives will also be implemented for this purpose.