Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The recent job losses announced by companies in County Mayo are a major blow to the workers affected and their families. I am conscious of the adverse effects of such closures on the surrounding area. Every effort will be made by FÁS and the State development agencies to find and create alternative employment for people who have been or are due to be made redundant.

At 5,495, the live register figure for County Mayo for January 2005 shows a decrease of 11% compared to January 2004. While the live register is not a true record of the level of unemployment, it is nevertheless a useful indicator of the current employment trend. Furthermore, the most recent quarterly national household survey figures, third quarter 2004, shows an unemployment rate for the west of 3.8%. That is substantially down on the 4.8% figure for 2003 and is below the national average figure of 4.7%. These figures reflect the overall upward trend in the economy in recent months.

I assure the Deputy that IDA Ireland continues to actively promote County Mayo to potential investors from a variety of sectors, including manufacturing and international services, with every effort being made to secure new investments for the area. Since January 2004, there have been seven first-time site visits to the county by potential investors.

In addition to targeting potential new projects, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland continue to work with the existing base of companies in the region with a view to supporting such companies with potential expansions and diversification of activities. The Mayo County Enterprise Board provides support for small businesses to develop indigenous enterprise potential and stimulate economic activity at local level.

IDA Ireland is investing significantly in the provision of planned and focused property solutions in the west region, specifically County Mayo. This is viewed as an essential marketing tool in the process of attracting potential new investors to the county. IDA Ireland is developing world class business and technology parks in Ballina, Westport, and Castlebar. The goal is to ensure that key locations have the appropriate property solutions, tailored to specific key sectoral targets, to attract inward investments. This means providing high quality business and technology parks and buildings in the main towns and undertaking long-term planning with the local authorities in order that the region is viewed by investors as having location solutions, such as property, infrastructure, business and lifestyle services, to support the growth and development of their operations. Given the representation of the State development agencies on the Mayo County Development Board, it is considered that, should further co-ordination be necessary, the county development board would be the most appropriate forum to fulfil this function. In the circumstances, I do not propose to establish a task force for the region.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

I recognise the need to provide high value employment opportunities in the key towns in Mayo that provide sustainable long-term jobs. IDA Ireland's strategies have proved successful to date despite the difficult and ever-changing global economy. The level of foreign direct investment in Ireland relative to the size of the economy is one of the highest in Europe. IDA Ireland is confident the strategies and policies being pursued in the county together with the ongoing commitment to regional development will bear fruit in terms of overseas investment and jobs.

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