asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make a statement giving the investment figures in manufacturing industry adjusted for inflation for each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the trend indicated.

I am informed by the State industrial promotion agencies that the level of fixed asset investment in grant aided manufacturing industry for the years 1983 to 1987 was as follows:

These figures are expressed in constant 1987 prices. They do not include investment in non-grant aided manufacturing activities during that period nor investment by industry in non-fixed asset activities, for example, working capital and training. The information indicates that investment growth resumed in 1987 following the return of confidence in the economy resulting from the improvement in the public finances.

Recent estimates by the ESRI and the Central Bank suggest that the level of investment in machinery and equipment continued to grow in 1988.