Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am aware that ownership of the site is not in the control of Enterprise Ireland or the IDA but we are talking about delivering an advance factory unit to Westmeath in 2017 and this unit is 10,000 sq. m in size and stands on a site of 8.5 ha. It is a large, ready-made site which can deliver a manufacturing facility into Mullingar. A total of 16 client companies from the IDA employ 2,300 people within the Mullingar area but we need to ensure that we attract further investment into the county and I would be grateful if the Minister would drive this idea. I have met a number of client companies in the Mullingar area which are looking to relocate and expand. We need to ensure the property management section of the IDA is delivering with such people as well as working hard with them. We also need strongly to encourage home-grown, indigenous businesses that are expanding.

Can the Minister investigate whether Mullingar can be designated a centre of excellence for robotics? This is a huge area and I am aware of one company the representatives of which met with the Minister at the ploughing championships and which has a huge portfolio of international customers. If we have a hub like I have suggested, we could drive such enterprise forward. Will the Minister put this into the regional action plan for jobs? It would drive Mullingar and the midlands forward as it is a unique area which can attract investment. This particular company has the skill set for this niche area whereby we can bring manufacturing to a new level. Manufacturing has changed over the past number of years and has become much more advanced.

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