I propose to take Questions Nos. 381 to 384, inclusive, together.
Regional Aid, also known as investment aid, is paid in the form of grants by the industrial development agencies to businesses in order to support new investment and new employment in productive projects. Such aid must be in accordance with the Regional Aid Map 2007-13 approved by the European Commission. This Map was drawn up in accordance with the Commission’s Regional Aid Guidelines 2007-2013. The eligible regions and applicable aid rates in Ireland for the 7 year period are set out in the Irish map which is available on my Departments website, and attached at the end of this answer. The questions posed by the Deputy require a significant volume of information to be gathered and collated. It has not been possible to collate the information within the timeframe given. Consequently, my Department will provide the information to the Deputy as soon as possible in written format.
Regional Aid Map 2007-2013 – IRELAND
(as reviewed by Commission Decision
N130/2010 – Official Journal c 226/5 21.8.2010)
BORDER, MIDLANDS and WEST REGION
Large Firms
Period
|
2007-2010
|
2011-2013
|
Aid Rate
(Gross Grant Equivalent)
|
30%
|
15%
|
Medium Firms
Period
|
2007-2010
|
2011-2013
|
Aid Rate
(Gross Grant Equivalent)
|
40%
|
25%
|
Small Firms
Period
|
2007- 2010
|
2011-2013
|
Aid Rate
(Gross Grant Equivalent)
|
50%
|
35%
|
SOUTHERN & EASTERN REGION
LARGE FIRMS
Area
|
Period
|
Aid Rate
(Gross Grant Equivalent)
|
South East sub-Region
(Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Waterford, South Tipperary) and designated islands 1
|
2007-2013
|
10%
|
Mid West
(Clare, Limerick, North Tipperary 2)
|
2007-2013
|
10%
|
Kerry,
Cork (entire county)
|
2007-2008
|
10%
|
|
2009-2013
|
0%
|
1. Bear, Cleire, Dursey, Heir, Long, Sherkin, Whiddy
2. As a result of Commission Decision N 130/2010, large investment aid for investment projects with eligible expenditure exceeding €25 million is once again permitted for these three counties. Prior to the decision, such aid had only been allowed up until the end of 2008.
Medium Firms
Area
|
Period
|
Aid Rate
(Gross Grant Equivalent)
|
South East sub-Region
(Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Waterford, South Tipperary) and designated islands
|
2007 - 2013
|
20%
|
Mid West
(Clare, Limerick, North Tipperary)
|
2007 - 2013
|
20%
|
Kerry,
Cork Urban Regeneration Area
|
2007 - 2013
|
20% 3
|
Cork (apart from Urban Regeneration Area)
|
2007-2008
|
20%
|
|
2009-2013
|
0%
|
Small Firms
Area
|
Period
|
Aid Rate
(Gross Grant Equivalent)
|
South East sub-Region
(Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Waterford, South Tipperary) and designated islands
|
2007-2013
|
30%
|
Mid-West
(Clare, Limerick, North Tipperary)
|
2007 - 2013
|
30%
|
Kerry,
Cork Urban Regeneration Area
|
2007 - 2013
|
30% 3
|
Cork (apart from Urban Regeneration Area)
|
2007-2008
|
30%
|
|
2009-2013
|
0%
|
Lower aid rates apply to Large Investment Projects (i. e. > €50 million)
3. From 2009-2013 no aid may be awarded in these counties for investment projects with eligible expenditure exceeding EUR 25 million