Vol. 470 No. 3
20 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the volume of sales achieved under the special trading house scheme in each of the years from 1992 to date; the number of valid licences in existence; and the number trading. [18732/96]
There are 21 valid licences under the special trading house scheme, of which it is estimated that eight are actively trading. The most up-to-date figures available on sales achieved come from the last review of the scheme, carried out in 1992, which showed sales of £28 million by licence holders up to the end of 1991.
A current review of the scheme is now well under way in my Department. The review is based on questionnaires which have issued to the licencees and their suppliers seeking information such as current trading status, sales achieved and employment created or maintained. The Department hopes to have the review completed by year end.
