Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

In some instances, the owner is co-operative and constructive. If this is so, the agencies will work with the county council to preserve the employment zoning such a building enjoys, which is critical. The IDA or Enterprise Ireland, county enterprise boards and county councils will work together to ensure economic activity can be retained in a particular building or facility. The IDA markets such buildings and facilities and sometimes do so in partnership with the owner. However, the owner must indicate to the IDA that he or she does not have other plans.

If a similar enterprise can be placed in a ready-made facility it can help in the overall drive to bring investment to an area. In other words, if it can be shown that a facility exists and that it can meet the needs of a company with a small amount of adaptation, that can help sometimes although not all of the time. Sometimes the larger buildings are bought by a developer who transforms them into a business park for small business units. This is also acceptable if it keeps the location as a magnet for employment in the region.

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