asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce given the importance of small manufacturing concerns in a job-creating context, if he considers that increased resources should be made available to the development agencies to boost the marketing potential of such firms.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Policy.
29.
(Limerick East): A major thrust of the Government's White Paper on Industrial Policy is to develop the marketing potential of Irish firms generally and of small manufacturing concerns in particular. The recommendations in the White Paper are now being implemented by my Department and their related agencies.
The IDA's small industries sector has undergone major structural reorganisation since the publication of the White Paper and a decentralised approach will allow for speedier provision of a full range of services and approval of grants for small industry projects.
CTT as the State export agency have primary responsibility for improving the export marketing potential of small firms. They too are doing this through their regional offices with the provision of seminars, advice, information and group marketing schemes. Accordingly their resources have been increased from £17.747 million in 1984, the year of the White Paper, to £25.336 million this year. Other agencies such as the Irish Goods Council also engage in activities aimed at developing the marketing potential of small manufacturing firms.
I accept and understand the wide range the Minister has given including CTT and so on. Will the Minister not agree that small manufacturing firms, having got capital allocation for buildings, plant and machinery, have proved to the IDA that their initiative and marketing ability would be equal to if not better than the global marketing the Minister speaks about? Would it not be as well that the Minister would consider giving an allocation to the bodies he outlined such as the IDA so that direct grants could be given to small manufacturing industries who have the potential to market what they manufacture themselves? The Minister is falling down on that.
(Limerick East): I do not agree with the Deputy.
Can I ask a further question on that? There is always next week and the week after. If we get one satisfactory reply from the Minister and the Government to the people who are trying to create jobs we will have done a satisfactory day's work. The employment support aspect of the Industrial Development Bill which passed through the Oireachtas recently could be used for the purpose I have indicated through that proposal that marketing allocation of funds and direction be given for marketing to small firms.
(Limerick East): The agencies I have referred to are very active in the promotion of small industry. CTT in particular are engaged actively in helping small businesses to market abroad and are being very effective in doing so. I agree in general with the Deputy's concern but the kind of solution he is advocating is not a real solution. Real solutions are being put into effect by the agencies at the moment.
Will the Minister put them into effect? I ask that my remaining questions be returned to the lottery.
Let me ask that Questions Nos. 13, 17, 19, 23 and 26 be returned to the lottery.
Sir, you have ruled out of order a Private Notice Question I put down about the Chernobyl incident and our readiness to handle a similar incident on the basis that it was not urgent. Since then the Minister for Energy has gone to the Seanad and made a statement on this. Let me re-state my request for this matter to be considered for the Adjournment.
It is being considered for the Adjournment.
Favourably I trust.
Well, fairly.