Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 244: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the role of IDA Ireland in promoting foreign direct investment in Clare outside of the Shannon free zone; if its ability to disburse investment funds has changed in recent years; if legislative shortcomings prevent it from disbursing investment funds in these areas in the same way as in other areas of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33329/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Industrial Development Acts, IDA Ireland is the agency charged with the attraction of foreign direct investment to this country, its regions and its areas, with the exception of the Shannon Free Zone, which is the responsibility of Shannon Development. 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.

IDA Ireland's ability to disburse support for overseas investment in County Clare is governed by the same legislation which governs the disbursement of support to overseas investment in the rest of the country. This legislation has not been changed in recent years.

A central goal for IDA Ireland is the achievement of balanced regional development. IDA Ireland's regional strategy reflects the National Spatial Strategy, with an emphasis on the gateway and hub locations. In Clare, Ennis is designated as a hub location. The attractiveness of Clare and Ennis for inward investment has to be seen within a regional context, and particularly by reference to Shannon airport and to their location on the Limerick/Galway corridor.

IDA Ireland's sectoral emphasis in the Mid-West Region is on attracting new knowledge intensive projects in Information Communications and Technology, International Services, Medical Technologies and Life Sciences.

At the end of December 2005, IDA had nine supported companies in Clare, employing in excess of 1,000 people.

I am confident that the strategies and policies being pursued by IDA Ireland in County Clare, together with the ongoing commitment by Government to regional development, will bear fruit in terms of investment and job creation for the county and the region as a whole.