Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 573: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of site visits by the IDA to counties Laois and Offaly over the past 12 months; the towns visited in both Laois and Offaly; when they were visited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9582/07]

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 (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.

In the period from March 2006 to March 2007, IDA Ireland has hosted a total of 8 site visits by potential investors to Counties Laois and Offaly, 7 of which were to Portlaoise while 1 was to Tullamore. The visits to Portlaoise took place in May, July, September and October, 2006 and February, 2007 while the visit to Tullamore took place in March 2006.

In line with the National Spatial Strategy (NSS), a key goal for IDA Ireland is the achievement of balanced regional development. Counties Laois and Offaly form part of the IDA Midlands Region together with Counties, Longford, Westmeath and Roscommon. The locations of emphasis for IDA in this region are the NSS Gateway towns of Athlone, Tullamore and Mullingar. In addition, the agency actively promotes the county towns of Portlaoise, Longford and Roscommon. The region will also benefit from the ongoing investment in transport, energy and utilities set out in the new National Development Plan.

IDA Ireland is actively marketing the Midlands Region through its network of overseas offices. In addition, the agency is working closely with educational institutions in the Region, in developing the skill sets necessary to attract high value added employment. The agency is also working with FAS to provide guidance in developing the skill sets needed by those already in the workforce who are interested in upskilling.

IDA Ireland has invested a considerable amount in the physical infrastructure required to attract today's FDI to the Midlands. The agency has invested €3.2 m in the development of a flagship Business and Technology Park in Portlaoise and spent circa €3m in upgrading the IDA Srah Park in Tullamore to Business & Technology Park standard. In this latter Park, the construction of a 465 sq. mtr. Advance Technology Unit has been completed and is currently being actively marketed by IDA, while a 2,415 sq. mtr. Advance Technology Building will be constructed during 2007. Ultimately decisions regarding where to locate, including what sites to visit as potential locations are taken by the investor.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 574: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of site visits by Enterprise Ireland to counties Laois and Offaly over the past 12 months; the towns visited in both Laois and Offaly; when they were visited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9583/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The facilitation of site visits by Enterprise Ireland is a day-to-day matter for the agency itself, and not one in which I am directly involved. However, I understand that site visits from potential investors normally relate to projects which are mobile and, more often than not, are from overseas. The Enterprise Ireland portfolio of indigenous client companies is, of its nature, not very mobile, and therefore the number of such site visits arranged by E.I. only relates to a small number of companies. Most overseas site visits generated by Enterprise Ireland are primarily from companies operating in the natural resources sector and take into account their special location requirements such as to access to raw materials, infrastructure and skills needs.

EI facilitated three visits to Portlaoise in County Laois and one to Clara in County Offaly during 2006. Enterprise Ireland provides an extensive range of supports such as strategy development, production and operations, marketing, human resource development, finance and research and development. These are available to all qualifying clients in counties Laois and Offaly. The preliminary Forfás Employment Survey for 2006 indicates that there are currently 132 plants employing 3,833 people in Laois and Offaly.

Where an Irish company is interested in relocating or expanding to another part of the country, the Enterprise Ireland office in that Region will assist in providing information on premises and services available locally, or contact details for other information sources in the Region.