John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 149: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding investment and job creation projects for the mid-west of Dublin in 2006-2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35816/05]

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

Support for job creation and investment is a matter for the industrial development agencies. Under the Industrial Development Acts, I may give general policy directives to IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland but I am precluded from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others.

In terms of attracting foreign direct investment to west Dublin, IDA Ireland has had considerable success over the years. This year I announced an expansion of both the Xilinx and Colgate Palmolive facilities at Citywest Business Campus which will create over 500 new jobs in the next five years. Takeda Chemical Industries major new investment in Ireland will complete construction this year at Grangecastle, Clondalkin and will employ over 60 people upon completion. Wyeth Biopharma, which employs 900 highly skilled people at its facility in Grangecastle, has been granted government assistance for major investment which will create 1,300 jobs and will be in full production later this year.

Enterprise Ireland is focused on the retention in existing companies and creation of new jobs in the area. Since 2002 the agency has approved almost €11 million and paid over €9.5 million in support of companies in south County Dublin, which includes the Dublin Mid-West constituency. The agency also works closely with the Institute of Technology in Tallaght in encouraging the commercialisation of research. It has supported the development of a business incubation space at the college to the amount of €2.54 million. This facility, when completed, will generate quality start-up enterprises. Enterprise Ireland has supported the development of community based enterprise centres in Bawnogue and Neilstown, Brookfield, Bolbrook, Killinarden and Main Road Tallaght, all of which are contributing to job creation in new microenterprises.

The South Dublin County Enterprise Board is one of the State agencies responsible for the economic development in the south County Dublin, including the Mid-West constituency. Since its inception, the board has approved just over €7.6 million to businesses based in this area. These grants and other financial supports have assisted in the creation and maintenance of 870 jobs.

I am satisfied that the strategies and policies being pursued by development agencies are producing real and sustainable results for the people of west Dublin in additional investments and jobs. I am confident that this will continue to be the case in the future.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 150: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the property holdings of IDA Ireland in the Cork South-West constituency, with particular reference to the Kinsale area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35824/05]

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

IDA Ireland is an autonomous statutory agency established under the Industrial Development Acts 1986 to 2003. The agency operates in accordance with the provisions of the Acts and under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. 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 and not a matter in which I have any function.

From inquiries, I understand IDA Ireland has a total of 75.24 hectares of available lands in the Cork South-West constituency, of which 2.08 hectares are in Kinsale. I have been informed there are two sales ongoing in respect of the Kinsale property. The agency has available buildings totalling 5,130 sq. m. in the constituency but there are no available buildings in Kinsale.

IDA Ireland continues to actively promote all available land and buildings in the county and works closely with local developers and service providers to ensure the provision of top quality infrastructure and services. In addition, IDA Ireland continues to invest significantly in the development of its utility intensive sites and business and technology parks in the county.