Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am informed by IDA Ireland that the former Johnson & Johnson ALZA plant in Cashel is in the process of changing hands. IDA Ireland understands that discussions between the company, Johnson & Johnson, and a private investment entity are ongoing. IDA Ireland is contacting the new owner through Johnson & Johnson. I have asked IDA Ireland to work with the new owner to try to deliver high value sustainable jobs for Cashel. The Deputy appreciates that it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage.

The agency informs me that there were three site visits by potential investors to County Tipperary in 2014. In respect of Cashel, I am informed by IDA Ireland that it is also working with the Ranbaxy pharmaceutical facility in Cashel in supporting plans to boost productivity on the site. In County Tipperary as a whole, there are 11 IDA Ireland client companies employing 3,370 people in full and part-time employment. Cashel, located in south Tipperary, is marketed by IDA Ireland as part of the south-east region along with counties Waterford, Wexford, Carlow and Kilkenny. The main clusters that have emerged in the south east are high-value manufacturing, pharmaceutical, medical devices and engineering, and international financial services.

We are developing a regional enterprise strategy for the south east and for the mid-west. We seek to develop all aspects, multinational and the much larger domestic enterprise sector, in the course of those plans.

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