Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 152: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the implementation of the recommendations of the Report of the Interdepartmental Group on Donegal, which he launched on 26 July 2006; the principal steps that have been taken to date; the recommendations that have not been implemented; the reason these have not been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8346/07]

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

I published the Report of the Interdepartmental Group on Donegal on 26 July 2006. I established the Group at the request of the Government following a number of major job losses in the county in recent years. I asked the Interdepartmental Group to focus on the progress being made on infrastructural requirements to make Donegal a more attractive location for enterprise creation, particularly as it makes the transition from traditional to more modern and higher value-added industries.

The report showed that Donegal has no shortage of advantages and opportunities in so far as the promise of a brighter future for its inhabitants is concerned. There is a dynamic combination of State Development Agencies active in Donegal who are committed to enhancing the attractiveness of the County for business. These agencies have demonstrated the ability to provide a clear vision and focus for future economic development. IDA Ireland will pursue more knowledge-based greenfield FDI for Donegal and convince existing IDA clients to transform their current operations to higher value activities. Enterprise Ireland will encourage and assist more innovative, technology-led companies and promote a greater level of start-up activity. These actions are a recognition of the challenges facing traditional industry and both Agencies are responding, as is Údarás in the Gaeltacht. The County Enterprise Board will continue to provide existing and new supports to micro enterprises complementing the work of both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland.

The provision of much needed infrastructure has been highlighted as an obstacle to job creation in Donegal over a number of years. I was pleased to see that the Report identified a lot of good news in terms of developments underway or planned in the areas of roads, air, water supply and treatment, broadband, energy and education. These have been solidified and strengthened in the National Development Plan 2007-2013 just launched. Particular emphasis has also been placed in the NDP on North/South co-operation and developments which will be a direct benefit to Donegal. My Department is monitoring progress being made in Donegal and I have asked the State development agencies to advise me if any major difficulties arise in the context of improving the environment for job creation in the county.

I also believe that what has already been achieved, in terms of job creation in the last year, is largely as a result of the ongoing commitment to Donegal of the State development agencies, the infrastructural developments recently completed and the commitment to ongoing and planned developments. Recent major job announcements include Abbott, SITA, ZEUS, PowerBoard and AssetCo.

I can assure the Deputy that this Government and the State development agencies are fully committed to fostering the environment for job creation in Donegal.