asked the Minister for Finance if he will state (a) the names of the companies in the steel industry that have received financial assistance from Fóir Teoranta and the number of such companies (b) the total amount of the assistance in each case and (c) the number of these firms that are making repayments.

It is assumed that the question relates to concerns engaged in the structural steel industry. On that basis, the information sought is given in the form of a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to have circulated with the Official Report.

Following is the statement:

One company has already repaid its loan in full; in the case of the remaining six companies all apart from one which has been experiencing persistent liquidity problems are meeting their obligations to Fóir.