James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 101: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the IDA plans for job creation in Rathowen and Mullingar, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25903/07]

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the IDA plans for job creation in Longford Town and Ballymahon, County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25902/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 104 together.

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.

Counties Longford and Westmeath form part of the IDA Midland region along with Counties Offaly, Laois and Roscommon. In line with the National Spatial Strategy the locations of emphasis for IDA Ireland in these counties are the Gateway towns of Athlone, Tullamore and Mullingar. In addition IDA actively promotes the county towns of Portlaoise, Longford and Roscommon. IDA Ireland is committed to encouraging the establishment of foreign direct investment in the Midlands Region. However, Ireland now has to compete for more high value and skill-intensive investments than in the past. These investments tend to favour the larger urban centres, close to Universities and Institutes of Technology. Combining the strengths of the Midlands Gateway is essential to boosting the Region's overall economic strength. The region will also benefit from the ongoing investment in transport, energy and utilities set out in the new National Development Plan.

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

At present there are five IDA assisted companies in Mullingar and its environs employing approximately 655 people. Through its range of overseas offices, IDA Ireland actively markets Mullingar as part of the Midlands Region as a location for foreign direct investment in particular the Marlinstown / Ardmore site of 70 acres. The establishment of Abbott Ireland in Longford Town, has been a great boost to the Region with approximately 380 already employed in that plant. In addition, Cameron Ireland now has over 200 employed in its plant and that number continues to grow.

According to the Forfás Annual Survey there were, at the end of 2006, twenty six IDA supported companies employing a total of 3,320 people in the combined counties Westmeath and Longford. Figures for 2007 will not be available until early 2008. I am satisfied that the co-operation of the development agencies together with the roll out of the National Development Plan will continue to encourage investment and bring benefits the peoples of Counties Longford and Westmeath and indeed the region as a whole.