Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 238: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of visiting itineraries for commercial or industrial projects that resulted from recent initiatives from the IDA or other State agencies within his remit that visited south Kildare (details supplied); the results of such itineraries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6913/07]

Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Ireland and its regions. The marketing of individual areas for new or expansion FDI investments and jobs is a day-to-day operational matter for the Agency. While I may give general policy directives to the Agency, I am precluded under the Industrial Development Acts from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others.

During 2006 IDA hosted two site visits by potential investors to the IDA Advance Unit in Athy, but neither company found it suitable for their needs. There were no visits to Newbridge, Monasterevin, Kildare, Kilcullen, Castledermot, Rathangan or Ballymore Eustace in 2006.

A central goal for IDA Ireland is the achievement of Balanced Regional Development. The National Spatial Strategy provides a framework for the achievement of this goal through the prioritization of development and investment in gateway towns and hub locations.

While IDA has sites in Kildare Town, Monasterevin and Castledermot, which they are actively promoting, decisions regarding where to locate are ultimately up to the individual investor.

Meanwhile, IDA Ireland continues to work with the existing client base in County Kildare to expand their presence in the County and to encourage increased cooperation with third level institutions in the County. In the 10 year period from 1996 to 2006 the number of permanent jobs in IDA supported companies in County Kildare has risen from 6,797 to 10,869 an increase of 4,072.