asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the reason the IDA units may not be rented to companies who propose to provide employment if the company is not in receipt of IDA grants; if it is proposed to change this regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

(Limerick East): Section 16 of the Industrial Development Act, 1986, provides that the Industrial Development Authority may provide premises for the establishment, development or maintenance of an industrial undertaking. A promoter, therefore, who is involved in an industrial undertaking may be allocated an IDA premises regardless of whether IDA grants have been approved.

Will the Minister repeat the last sentence please?

(Limerick East): A promoter, therefore, who is involved in an industrial undertaking may be allocated an IDA premises regardless of whether IDA grants have been approved.

That makes common sense. I was informed that an individual wanted to provide employment and was not interested in grants but in one of the IDA units. He was told by the IDA that he could not be considered because he was not in receipt of grants. This seems ludicrous. The Minister's reply now clarifies the matter.

(Limerick East): There may be a misunderstanding because a person putting forward a proposal will still have to put it to the IDA for sanction, even if it is simply for the use of a premises rather than a grant. The IDA can allocate premises regardless of whether a grant is paid or not.

The official reply was to the effect that a person not in receipt of IDA grants cannot have a proposal for the use of the IDA unit considered.

(Limerick East): That is not in accordance with the statutory framework within which the IDA operate.

I will bring the specific case to the Minister's attention.