Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 327: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of site visits to County Wicklow, with a breakdown by town, since 1 January 2005 to date in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40503/06]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 328: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of site visits to County Carlow, with a breakdown by town, since 1 January 2005 to date in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40504/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 327 and 328 together.

Since 1 January 2005 there have been 12 site visits to Carlow, seven in 2005 and five in 2006 to date. There were no site visits to County Wicklow in 2005 and 2006.

Ultimately it is the investor who decides where to locate, including where to visit as a potential location. What they are indicating to IDA is that they are seeking an urban base, close to third level educational facilities, that provides infrastructure and services that are international in focus.

At the end of 2005 there were 12 IDA supported companies located in Wicklow, employing 2,444 people and 9 companies were located in Carlow, employing 717 people. IDA Ireland's strategy for both Wicklow and Carlow is to promote these locations as part of the overall East Region, where there is a readily available pool of skilled workers, a critical mass in population, a world-class access infrastructure in terms of roads, airport and telecoms, an excellent quality of life and easy access to third level education and research capabilities. In this regard the contributions of the Institute of Technology Carlow, and St. Patrick's College, are critical to ensuring that the region develop first class educational and research capabilities to support existing and new investment.

The Agency advise that there continues to be a good level of expansion activity from its existing industry base in Wicklow, especially in the pharmaceutical and medical technological sectors. The County's proximity to Dublin, together with the rail and road links combine to enhance its attractiveness in attracting overseas mobile investment and the level of new jobs created year on year is a testament to this. In October 2006 Servier Pharmaceuticals announced a 112 job expansion involving an investment of €69m to increase production of existing products and add 2 new products.

I am confident that the strategies being pursued by IDA Ireland is the best strategy in terms of delivering new greenfield or expansion projects for the people of Carlow and Wicklow.