Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 330: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the urgent measures he will take to attract much needed foreign investment into north Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14037/07]

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.

North Tipperary is marketed for inward investment within a regional context, with proximity to Limerick and Cork and its location along the Limerick/Dublin and Cork/Dublin corridors. The National Spatial Strategy (NSS) provides a framework for the achievement of this goal. IDA Ireland's regional strategy reflects the NSS, with an emphasis on the gateway and hub locations. International access through Shannon Airport continues to play a major role in the economic development of the Mid-West region.

The transition to a knowledge based economy both in Ireland as a whole and in North Tipperary, can only be achieved by winning new FDI in innovation driven, high value, high skills sectors. The development of Gateway and Hub locations, as laid out in the NSS, is crucial to the development of the regions. These regions must possess the population, skills base, business services, infrastructure and vibrant enterprise base that is capable of attracting and winning FDI in competition with similar locations internationally.

In moving the Mid-West to a more knowledge based economy, IDA Ireland is partnering with educational institutions in the region, in particular UL, LIT and TI, in developing the skill-sets necessary to attract high value-added employment in activities such as R&D, corporate services, shared services, supply chain management, treasury management,

Responsibility for the provision of industrial property solutions within the Mid-West region also lies with Shannon Development. IDA Ireland works closely with Shannon Development in the promotion and marketing of these tailored property solutions. Initiatives undertaken by Shannon Development include the Development of the Tipperary Technology Park in Thurles. Shannon Development has also acquired a 29 acre site in Roscrea with a view to developing a Business Park appropriate to the needs of the area.

At the end of 2006, there were five IDA supported companies in North Tipperary, employing 610 people. I am confident that the policies and strategies currently in place will deliver the best results in terms of investment and jobs for the people of the Region.