I understand the company referred to by the Deputy set up business in a factory owned by Údarás na Gaeltachta under a short-term lease and on a pilot basis in September 2001 without grant aid. Discussions on the development of the company and on a possible package of financial assistance for an ongoing business have continued since that time. The position is that approximately ten people were recruited initially by the company. Employment subsequently rose to 19 – 18 full-time and one part-time – staff by end 2001 and remained at this level until 8 February 2002. On that date the company temporarily laid off 13 staff due to large stocks of its product being on hand. I understand, however, that the company expects to re-employ this staff in about six weeks time.