asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the estimated cost to the taxpayer of grants, loans, export sales relief and so on, of the Alcan Project at Shannon; the estimated cost to the taxpayer of each permanent job to be provided by the project; and the steps he proposes to take to safeguard the State's investment.

A package of incentives has been approved for this project but it is not the practice to reveal such information except to the extent disclosed in due course in the IDA Annual Reports. However, in so far as capital grants and interest subsidies are concerned the promoters have stated that these amount to £16.75 million spread over nine years. This represents about £10 million at 1977 prices or £12,500 per permanent job to be created. The other aids involved such as export tax relief are not quantifiable in terms of cost per job at present. The grant agreements with the promoters include the normal provisions for repayment in certain circumstances of grants paid towards the project.

Is it the intention of the Government to ensure that the agreement reached between the IDA and Alcan will be published?

This does not relate in any way to the question.

Can the Minister say if it is intended to have the agreement published?

No.