Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 381: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA led visits by potential employers to the north west region and specifically Inishowen from January 2006 to January 2007; and if he will make a statement on the regional development strategy of the IDA as it pertains to the north west. [3833/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In 2006 there were twelve IDA led visits by potential investors to the North West. Seven of these investors visited County Donegal and three visited Buncrana. IDA Ireland is actively marketing the North West, including County Donegal and the Innisowen Peninsula, for additional investment and jobs through it network of overseas offices. Target sectors that the Agency is pursuing for the region are Medical Technologies; Pharmaceuticals; International Services, including Financial Services, and High End Engineering. Companies in these sectors not alone bring high wage jobs but they have also have knock-on benefits in other sectors such as supply, distribution and transport, thus creating further investment and employment opportunities for local people in the immediate vicinity and surrounding areas.

I was pleased to announce in March 2006, the establishment of a new enterprise managed service centre (EMS) by AssetCo to be based in Buncrana. Supported by Enterprise Ireland, the project involves an investment of €5.2 million and will lead to the creation of 130 new jobs.

I am confident the strategy and policies being pursued by the Development Agencies, who are working closely with each other to maximize investment and job opportunities, together with the roll out of the new National Development Plan, will bear fruit in terms of additional investment and jobs for the people of the North West, including those living in Donegal and the Innisowen Peninsula.

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 382: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for business for the provision of employment in business and industry at the Business Park, Askeaton, County Limerick. [3840/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Responsibility for the development of property solutions for enterprise promotion in the Mid West Region lies with Shannon Development. Responsibility for grant assistance to companies locating in the Region is an operational matter for the relevant development agencies. IDA Ireland is the national agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Ireland and its regions (incl. Co. Limerick), while Enterprise Ireland is now responsible for indigenous industry in the Mid-West region. Both Shannon Development and IDA Ireland work closely together in the development, promotion and marketing of tailored property solutions throughout the Mid West which includes the Askeaton Business Park.

The Business Park is a Shannon Development-owned land bank, comprising 228 acres situated on the southern bank of the Shannon Estuary. The site has been identified as an important site from a business and employment perspective for both Co. Limerick and the wider Region in the Planning and Land Use Transportation Study, the Mid-West Regional Planning Guidelines and the Limerick County Development Plan. The typical investment projects which both Shannon Development and IDA Ireland seek to win are in advanced higher-value manufacturing and services activities (often containing an R&D element) requiring high-level skills, infrastructure and advanced business services. This reflects the changing nature of modern FDI projects whose primary needs can be summarised as follows: a high-quality serviced environment within proximity of a critical population mass capable of providing a skilled workforce, world-class access infrastructure (e.g. road access to key cities, sea ports and international airports), telecommunications infrastructure with multiple broadband carriers and proximity to third level educational institutions including universities and technical colleges.

The Askeaton Business Park is considered to be nationally significant given its location on the deep-water estuary, proximity to Foynes and Limerick Ports, proximity to urban clusters in Limerick City and Askeaton, railhead access on the Foynes-Limerick route and its site boundary with the N69 providing direct access to southern ports such as Cork and Rosslare. The completion of the Southern Ring Road and the proposed Limerick Tunnel will furthermore enable direct road access to Shannon Airport for passenger and freight services and will facilitate access to the West and East Coasts including Dublin Port.

The Askeaton Business Park is marketed through IDA Ireland's network of overseas offices as a location for international export-orientated projects. Ultimately, however, decisions regarding where to locate a project are taken by investors based on a variety of criteria and on the capability of any particular location to support their business needs. Shannon Development is currently reviewing its strategic options in relation to the Askeaton Land Bank.