Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action he proposes to take to bring replacement jobs and investment to Nenagh and north Tipperary following the series of job losses and factory closures to date in 2007; the reason the Government has apparently abandoned north Tipperary in its job creation and investment schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15461/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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While job losses are always regrettable, they are a feature of economic development in all countries as various sectors expand and contract in response to market forces. However, I have been assured by the agencies under the remit of my Department that they are actively endeavouring to attract new investment, to encourage the start-up of new businesses, to grow existing businesses and to develop the labour market in Tipperary North.

IDA Ireland, is marketing North Tipperary for inward investment within a regional context and the National Spatial Strategy provides a framework for the achievement of this goal. Proximity to Limerick and Cork and its location along the Limerick/Dublin and Cork/Dublin corridors are strong selling points for the area, as is international access through Shannon Airport.

The transition to a knowledge based economy can only be achieved by winning new investments in innovation driven, high value, high skills sectors. The development of Gateway and Hub locations 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.

IDA has five supported companies in North Tipperary, employing 610 (as per end of year employment survey in December 2006). Employment in IDA supported companies has achieved relative stability over the last three years, having declined from a peak of 1,486 in 2000. Initiatives involving Local Authorities, IDA Ireland and other strategic partners, specifically focused on the task of developing North Tipperary's offering to potential investors are to be encouraged. The Thurles Marketing Group was established in 2002 with a view to developing a pilot marketing initiative in North Tipperary as part of the implementation of the County Economic and Cultural Strategy 2002-2012. IDA Ireland, Shannon Development and the North Tipperary Enterprise Board have contributed to the work of this Group the focus of which was to promote Thurles as a location for business investment, not only for FDI but also as a location for indigenous investment.

Responsibility for the provision of industrial property solutions within the Mid-West region lies with Shannon Development. IDA Ireland works closely with Shannon Development in the promotion and marketing of tailored property solutions. Initiatives undertaken by Shannon Development include the Development of the Tipperary Technology Park in Thurles and the acquisition of a 29 acre site in Roscrea with a view to developing a Business Park appropriate to the needs of the area. Enterprise Ireland has responsibility for the development of indigenous industry is focussed on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs who are setting up New High Potential Start Up Companies. In addition, the Agency is working with its existing companies to increase efficiencies, as productivity and competitiveness improvements are critical for client companies to survive and indeed achieve sustained export growth. I am satisfied that the efforts of the agencies together with the expenditure under the National Development Plan will continue to bear fruit in terms of economic development for the people of North Tipperary.