Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. First, I should point out that the factory concerned is not under the ownership of Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland. The owner of the facility is not a client of either agency. Both agencies are aware of the factory's availability. They have engaged with the relevant parties about marketing the facility as suitable for potential investors. The property has also been included on the IDA's database of available office and manufacturing properties in County Westmeath.

While Enterprise Ireland does not purchase property for its clients, it is working with enterprise development partners regarding the building's future. Both agencies are available to assist potential clients who may require premises for investment in the area to view the property.

In addition to assisting with the facility concerned, IDA Ireland is marketing Mullingar and the midlands for new investment. The IDA works to encourage its client companies in the area to grow and embed their businesses. In terms of enterprise development in the midlands, and in Mullingar in particular, Enterprise Ireland supports entrepreneurs who are setting up start-up companies in manufacturing and internationally traded services. Enterprise Ireland is also focused on the creation of new jobs by working with established client companies in the midlands. Additionally, Westmeath local enterprise office is available to assist people with a business idea and who want to consider self-employment as a career option.

There is clearly potential for job creation in County Westmeath. Earlier this year, I visited Mullingar where I met the local Chamber of Commerce and visited the IDA Business Park. This allowed me to see, at first hand, what the county has to offer to investors. The work by Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the Westmeath local enterprise office is part of a wider Government push to create jobs across the regions.

The action plan for jobs for the midland region was launched in June 2015. Its core objective is the creation of an extra 14,000 jobs across counties Longford, Westmeath, Offaly and Laois by 2020. The midlands plan includes a series of actions aimed at attracting at least 25 additional multinational investment projects to the region by 2019, building a second advance facility for County Westmeath in 2017, appointing an IDA regional manager for the region, and actions to ensure that key IDA personnel overseas have enhanced knowledge and marketing plans for the midlands.

I believe that if we deliver on the midlands action plan process we will create the job opportunities to meet local and regional needs.

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