asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism the various steps taken by the Government to make additional funds available to alleviate the current problems of industry.
Written Answers . - Industrial Problems Alleviation .
425.
: The provision in the 1980 Public Capital Programme for the Industrial Development Authority and the Shannon Free Airport Development Company Ltd. was increased by 23 per cent as compared with the 1979 allocation.
A scheme was introduced in recent months by the Industrial Credit Company Limited under which loans at concessionary rates of interest are available to small and medium size manufacturing firms in respect of their additional working capital requirements.
In pursuance of the Government's commitment under the new national understanding, additional measures, as announced by the Minister for Finance on 31 October 1980, are being implemented for the purpose of job maintenance and job creation in manufacturing industry.