asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he will give details of the proposed new industry that was recently announced for Tallaght.

I presume the Deputy is referring to the development programme being undertaken by Packard Electric Ireland Limited of Tallaght, details of which the Minister announced on 6 February 1984.

As stated in my announcement, Packard Electric Ireland Limited are to undertake a £1 million investment and development programme which will be supported by the Industrial Development Authority, aimed principally at modernising producation processes and the improvement of competitiveness through the aid of more advanced technology, increasing output from their existing plant and extending customer ranges by introducing new products.

How many new jobs are calculated to arise from this project?

This is primarily a modernisation programme undertaken by the company to ensure their efficiency. Obviously, therefore, it is to secure the employment that is already there.

I presume then that one may reasonably take it from the Minister's reply that no new jobs are to be created there. How much is the investment or grant by the IDA to Packard?

There are at present 850 people employed in the company which one must see as very helpful to the employment situation in the area. The development programme announced by the Minister is in support of that employment and its future. The total of grant aid payable to the company is at present confidential but it will be published in the ordinary course in the IDA annual report.