Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 962: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of visits to North Tipperary, Limerick and Clare arranged by Shannon Development and the IDA for potential foreign direct investors, industrial developers or potential locating multi-nationals to date in 2006; the number anticipated for the remainder of 2006; the measures being taken to address the low level of priority for investment purposes given to North Tipperary by comparison with other counties in the mid-west region over the past six years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29638/06]

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 (FDI) to Ireland, including its regions and areas. The agency hosted 19 visits to Limerick and 6 visits to Clare since the beginning of 2006. So far this year no visits have been hosted to North Tipperary. Ultimately, decisions regarding where to locate, including what areas to visit as potential locations, are taken by investors. As such it is not possible to predict with any degree of accuracy what further visits might take place to these counties during the year.

There are currently six IDA supported companies in North Tipperary, employing a total of 717 people. The attractiveness of North Tipperary for inward investment has to be seen within a regional context, with the National Spatial Strategy (NSS) providing a framework for the achievement of this goal. IDA Ireland's regional strategy reflects the NSS, with an emphasis on the gateway and hub locations. IDA is committed to the development of North Tipperary and is actively promoting the County for FDI, as part of an integrated Mid West region.

IDA's strategy for the Mid West region and North Tipperary involves:

Winning new FDI in innovation driven, high value, high skills sectors

Working with existing companies to help them expand their presence in Ireland by the addition of increased functions of scale, including, in particular, increased strategic functions

Pursuing balanced regional development

Facilitating the provision of tailored property solutions and the supporting infrastructure to meets the needs of inward investors.

Working with local authorities and other partners to develop and strengthen the attractiveness of the region in an effort to help win new FDI.

In moving North Tipperary to a more knowledge based economy, IDA Ireland is partnering with educational institutions in the region, in particular UL, LIT and TI, in developing the skill sets necessary to attract high value added employment in areas such as R&D, corporate services, shared services, supply chain management, treasury management, etc.

Responsibility for the provision of industrial property solutions within the Mid West region also lies with Shannon Development and IDA Ireland works closely with Shannon Development in the promotion and marketing of these tailored property solutions. Initiatives undertaken by Shannon Development include the Development of the Tipperary Technology Park, which is an integral part of IDA's international marketing programme and will be pivotal to attracting new investors. Shannon Development, in association with Local Authorities, is also spearheading the drive to bring high-internet access to the region. Templemore, Nenagh and Roscrea have been scheduled as Priority Towns for Phase 2 of the Broadband roll-out programme.

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 North Tipperary and the Mid-West generally.