Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 170: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will arrange a visit to County Kerry in the near future to discuss the job losses in IDA supported industries over the past five years with the local chambers of commerce, SIPTU and other organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31616/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I visited Kerry on 21 July 2005 with officials from my Department and the State development agencies. During the course of this visit I met the Kenmare Chamber of Commerce, and representative organisations and businesses in Caherciveen, Killorglin and Killarney. Wide-ranging discussions were held concerning economic development in the region.

IDA's strategy for Kerry is to win high value investments in the international services, engineering and ICT sectors. IDA Ireland is pursuing this strategy within the NSS, which has designated Tralee and Killarney as linked hubs. While I may give general policy directives to the agency under the Industrial Development Acts, I am precluded from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others.

However, I am informed that IDA Ireland is actively marketing the region. At the end of 2004, there were 2,022 people in permanent employment in 21 IDA supported companies in the county. The agency has now completed site development works on its business and technology park at Tiernaboul in Killarney. The site area totals 4.66 hectares and the work involved significant landscaping, access development and site clearance. This work has cost in the region of €1 million. A local group of business people have completed a new building of 14,716 sq.ft. on a site acquired from IDA on the this park. IDA is also actively marketing the Kerry technology park adjacent to the institute of technology in Tralee and the Listowel development centre.

In addition to targeting potential new projects, the agency is also working with its existing portfolio of companies in the region, with a view to supporting such companies with potential expansions and diversification of activities.

It is my intention to visit the Tralee and north Kerry area as soon as my departmental and parliamentary commitments permit and I look forward to discussion with the local chambers of commerce and other interested groups about employment prospects specifically and economic development generally in the region.