Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of site visits by Enterprise Ireland to counties Laois and Offaly over the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39711/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The issue of site visits is a matter for the relevant industrial development agencies, and not one in which I am directly involved. Itineraries for site visits generally relate to mobile investments, normally from overseas. Enterprise Ireland's portfolio of indigenous client companies is, of its nature, not very mobile, therefore the number of site visits arranged by the agency only relates to a small number of companies. Any such visits are primarily for natural resource companies, taking into account their special location requirements, such as access to raw materials and to facilities.

When a situation arises that an Irish company is interested in relocating or expanding to another part of the country, the Enterprise Ireland office in that region will assist in providing information on premises and services available locally, and contact details for other information sources in the region. Within the last year, Enterprise Ireland arranged three site visits to County Laois and one to County Offaly on behalf of a group of investors who are seeking to establish an Irish based manufacturing facility in the area.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of site visits by the IDA to counties Laois and Offaly over the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39712/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Support for job creation and investment in individual counties and towns is a day-to-day operational matter for the development agencies as part of their responsibility under the Industrial Development Acts. While I may give general policy directives to the agencies I am precluded under the Industrial Developments Acts from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others.

There have been 6 first time site visits to County Laois and 2 first time site visits to County Offaly that were hosted by IDA Ireland over the past 12 months. IDA Midlands Region consists of Counties Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath and Roscommon. The locations of emphasis for IDA in these counties are the NSS Gateway towns of Athlone, Tullamore and Mullingar. In addition IDA actively promotes the county towns of Portlaoise, Longford and Roscommon.

IDA Ireland's strategy for the Midlands Region is: to progress the development of a knowledge economy, in order that the Region can compete both nationally and internationally for foreign direct investment; to work with the existing client base in the Counties and to expand their presence in the various Counties; to provide modern property solutions with supporting infrastructure; and to work with the Local Authorities and relevant infrastructure providers to influence the delivery of appropriate infrastructure to the various counties.

To support this strategy IDA Ireland is working closely with educational institutions in the Region, in developing the skill sets necessary to attract high value-added employment. IDA is also working with FÁS to provide guidance in developing the appropriate skill sets needs of those already in the workforce. 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 overseas investment and jobs for the Region.