Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)
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Question 368: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the efforts his Department is making in conjunction with a company (details supplied) to create the climate for improved job opportunities in the town of Tuam; the progress being made on the construction of factory units in the IDA Ireland park in Tuam, County Galway; and the efforts being made to attract tenants for same. [31953/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment to Ireland. While I may give general policy directives to the agency, I am precluded under the Industrial Developments Acts from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others.

IDA Ireland is working closely with several public and private bodies, including Enterprise Ireland, which is concentrating on the development of the indigenous sector, the County Enterprise Board, which has responsibility for supporting the micro-enterprise sector, the county council, county development board and major infrastructure and utility providers to improve the business environment of the town.

I understand from IDA Ireland that phase 1 of the development of the new Tuam business and technology park was substantially completed in 2003 and that a minor estate access road and associated landscaping 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 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 alsobe converted to office based activity, if required.

Although the construction of an initial advance unit is not immediately planned, 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 the Government to regional development, will bear fruit in additional sustainable investment and jobs for the people of Tuam.