Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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29. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the costs incurred by the State in terms of grants, rent abatement and clean-up costs associated with a factory (details supplied) in County Meath. [37410/16]

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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Is oth liom go gcaithfidh mé an cheist seo a chur ar an Aire Stáit inniu. Nuair a seoladh an monarchan seo i mBaile Ghib bhí ionadaithe ón Roinn agus, measaim, an Taoiseach ann. Bhí a lán daoine á chéiliúradh nuair a bunaíodh an monarchan seo, ach tá sé go léir tar éis titim as a chéile. Cé mhéad airgead ar caitheadh ann? An bhfuil aon phleananna ag an Roinn chun postanna eile a chur ar fáil sa mhonarchan?

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Gabhaim mo bhuíochas leis an Teachta Byrne as an gceist seo. Tá an freagra atá agamsa i mBéarla, toisc go raibh an cheist curtha i mBéarla.

I have been informed by Údarás na Gaeltachta that employment grants of €170,000 and rent subsidy grants of €41,631 have been paid to the company referred to by the Deputy. I have been further advised that Údarás na Gaeltachta has initiated proceedings against the company to revoke these grants. With regard to the building leased to the company, an tÚdarás has informed my Department that it has given notice to the company to vacate the building as the company was not complying with the terms and conditions of its lease. An tÚdarás expects to acquire possession of the building in the coming days.

An tÚdarás is also making arrangements for waste materials still remaining in the building and yard to be removed. The cost of this work is estimated at €40,000 and is expected to be completed before the end of the year. I am advised that an tÚdarás intends to pursue the company for the costs of this work, in addition to the costs of any other remedial works required for the building. In this regard, an tÚdarás intends to carry out any necessary works to the building to make it available to other companies that might wish to develop a business there and create employment opportunities for people from the area. I understand that Údarás has some inquiries currently from companies with an interest in that regard.

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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I am happy to speak as Gaeilge nó as Béarla but I will speak in English so other people may understand because this is such a crucial issue. These were jobs advertised by the Government and particularly the Fine Gael Party as high-tech jobs. I understood this to be a high-tech processing facility. It turned out to be a waste-collection facility and I was surprised that public money would be available to give jobs in what was basically a waste-processing depot. Essentially, rubbish built up on these premises over a very short period. The facility was announced approximately two years ago, up and running some months later and closed before the general election. It is over a period of a year or less that this money from the Department was dished out. Údarás na Gaeltachta dished out six-figure sums, with more to come, and it seems it was very easily given. I have seen some of the correspondence on the certification that had to be given for the jobs and it was extremely minimal. I have no doubt there were jobs there at one point - there is no question about it - but the information that had to be given by An tÚdarás by the company was the bare minimum.

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I accept there has been a considerable amount of State funding allocated by Údarás na Gaeltachta to the company.

Unfortunately, despite the wishes and best intentions of Údarás na Gaeltachta, this company did not comply with the terms and conditions that were laid down. Any investment or grant of this nature has to go before the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta. Substantial information will be provided in respect of any application for funding and due diligence will be done. I understand the company had 23 full-time employees during 2015 - this means jobs were created initially - but that figure was gradually reduced to zero during the period from November 2015 to the end of February 2016. If the Deputy has any more questions, perhaps he will find that information will be forthcoming from Údarás na Gaeltachta. Obviously, the company did not or could not continue trading, for some reason. It is clear that the role of Údarás na Gaeltachta now is to get back that money. It has initiated proceedings and is taking back the buildings. It intends to pursue the company in relation to employment and rent grants and the amount of money that will have to be spent to remediate the buildings.

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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I hope a lesson has been learnt here. It is a very expensive lesson. I wonder whether the Department will investigate this matter. At the time, the Fine Gael Party locally was thanked by various people involved in the project for its assistance in this regard. This needs to be looked at more closely. More importantly, this premises needs to be taken over by Údarás na Gaeltachta and some other facility needs to be put in place there. The factory next door is operating fantastically and extremely cleanly. It has great relations with its neighbours. A good clean factory can coexist with neighbours and residents. However, the factory we are discussing was unable to do so. I appeal to Údarás na Gaeltachta to do as much as it can to get this place up and running again and to get back this money.

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Údarás na Gaeltachta's aim is to get back all the moneys it invested. I am sure that at the time, the Deputy welcomed the 23 full-time jobs that were created.

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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I did not. I did not know anything about them. They were announced by the Taoiseach.

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I am sure the company, everyone associated with Údarás na Gaeltachta and everyone else wanted that company to continue in operation. That is the reason the investment was made. The board decided in good faith to invest in this company on the basis of the documentation that was provided, but things did not work out, unfortunately. The jobs were lost and the number of employees was gradually reduced to zero before February 2016. Údarás na Gaeltachta is committed to recovering all State investment made in this company and to investing in the restoration of this facility so that other companies can come in and create jobs in the local area. I am sure that is what Deputy Byrne would like to see. It is what I would like to see. I will continue to liaise with Údarás na Gaeltachta in this regard. It will get back this money, invest in the buildings and encourage and liaise with other companies to create jobs in this area.