Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 238: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number and location of vacant IDA factories in County Kildare; the number of visits to these factories over the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43095/06]

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 to Ireland and its regions. Since 1996, the Agency has been disposing of its landlord's interest in buildings throughout the country. This policy was reviewed as part of the 2004 expenditure review of IDA Ireland's property portfolio and the Steering Group was satisfied that the approach, which seeks to have the provision of buildings funded by the private sector, is appropriate.

I have been informed by IDA Ireland that the last remaining IDA advance unit in county Kildare, which is located in Athy, is now occupied and negotiation is ongoing regarding the purchase of the unit by an Irish company.

In addition, IDA has sites in Kildare Town, Monasterevin and Castledermot that are available for industrial promotion. In the past 12 months two companies visited Kildare; one in food processing and the other one in financial services. Ultimately decisions regarding where to locate are taken by investors themselves and IDA will continue to promote these sites.

IDA Ireland strategy for the County is to:

Progress development in the area towards a knowledge economy in order that the County can compete both nationally and internationally for foreign direct investment.

Encourage increased cooperation between foreign direct investment companies and the third level institutions in the County e.g. University College Maynooth;

Work with the existing client base in the County to expand their presence.

I am satisfied that the strategy which IDA Ireland has adopted and put in place for the County is delivering results in terms of additional jobs for the people of Kildare. In the period 1996 to 2005, the permanent jobs base in IDA overseas companies in the County has risen from 6,797 to 10,818, an increase of 4,021 jobs.