Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the developments which have taken place on the new IDA Ireland park in Tuam, County Galway; the cost of the project to date; the plans the IDA Ireland has to build advance factory-type units on the site; the efforts IDA Ireland has made to attract industry to the park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27203/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio is a day-to-day operational matter for the agency as part of the statutory responsibility assigned to it by the Oireachtas for industrial development and it is not a role in which I have a direct function.

I understand from IDA Ireland that phase one of the development of the new Tuam Business and Technology Park was substantially completed in 2003 at a cost of approximately €3.5 million. This figure includes the cost of land acquisition. The construction of a minor estate access road and associated landscaping, costing approximately €200,000, have recently been completed.

The next stage of the project will be the building of advance technology units. The park will initially accommodate four units — two 5,000 sq. ft. units and two units of 7,500 sq. ft. — for which planning permission has been obtained from Galway County Council.

Planning permission is also currently being sought for a new advance technology building on a site adjacent to the park entrance. This 20,000 sq. ft. building will be designed to accommodate manufacturing-type operations but can also be converted to office based activity, if required.

I understand that the park is actively being marketed to potential overseas investors by IDA Ireland through its network of overseas offices and project divisions. I have no doubt that the availability of the flagship park together with the planned associated buildings will enhance the attractiveness of the area to potential overseas investors. I am confident that the strategies and policies being pursued by IDA Ireland, together with the ongoing commitment of Government to regional development, will bear fruit in terms of additional sustainable investment and jobs for the people of Tuam.