Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 657: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of visits by prospective employers to IDA sites in Tipperary south in 2007. [2008/08]

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.

At present there are 12 IDA Ireland supported companies in South Tipperary, employing approximately 2,981 people. The key industry sector for South Tipperary is Life Sciences, which accounts for almost 90% of employment. The largest employers are Abbott and Boston Scientific, followed by Merck Sharp & Dohme, Pinewood Laboratories (Workhardt) and Clonmel Healthcare.

In marketing South Tipperary for new foreign direct investment, IDA Ireland is focused on attracting overseas companies in the services and knowledge based industries, including advanced manufacturing. Recent key wins for the County have been Cordis and Alza in Cashel. Cordis is expected to be operational in the second quarter of this year. The future development of the Ballingarrane Estate in Clonmel, incorporating an IDA Business Park and Tipperary Institute, will be a key asset in the quest for further overseas investment in the County. I understand from the Agency that it did not host any visits by potential investors to South Tipperary during 2007. IDA Ireland continues to work closely with third level educational institutions in the region so that the skill sets necessary to attract high value added employment are being developed. Tipperary Institute and Waterford Institute of Technology are key resources that will be critical to the attraction and maintenance of overseas companies in the County. In addition, IDA Ireland maintains a close relationship with FÁS so that the requirements of industry, particularly in the areas of training and up-skilling, are being met.