Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 244: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the Industrial Development Authority plans for job creation in Carrick-on-Suir; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5475/08]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 245: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the Industrial Development Authority plans for job creation in Cahir; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5476/08]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 246: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the Industrial Development Authority plans for job creation in Clonmel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5477/08]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 247: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the Industrial Development Authority plans for job creation in Mullinahone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5478/08]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 248: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the Industrial Development Authority plans for job creation in Fethard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5479/08]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 255: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the Industrial Development Authority plans for job creation in Tipperary town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5632/08]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 256: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the Industrial Development Authority plans for job creation in Cashel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5633/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 255 and 256 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.

In line with the National Spatial Strategy, IDA Ireland is focused on advancing the economic development of South Tipperary as part of the wider South East Region, comprising the counties of Tipperary South, Waterford, Wexford, Carlow and Kilkenny. IDA's strategy for achieving a better regional distribution of overseas mobile investment is to work in partnership with other stakeholders to present companies with credible alternatives that go as far as possible towards meeting their demands for critical mass in terms of population, skills and infrastructure. In line with this strategy, and in agreement with South Tipperary County Development Board, IDA Ireland's strategy for South Tipperary is to concentrate future economic development in Clonmel and to develop the town as a first-class location for overseas investment.

Currently, there are 12 IDA Ireland supported companies in South Tipperary, employing over 2,000 people. The key industry sector for South Tipperary is Life Sciences. 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. The Agency is also investing in the provision of world class property solutions with supporting infrastructure. The future development of Ballingrane Estate in Clonmel, incorporating an IDA business park and the Tipperary Institute, will be a key asset in the quest for further overseas investment.

In addition, the Agency works closely with the educational institutions in the region to ensure that the skill-sets necessary to attract high value–added employment to the County are being developed, and with FÁS to ensure that the needs of industry, in the areas of training and up-skilling, are being met. I am satisfied that policies being pursued by the Agency, together with the roll out of the National Development Plan, will continue to bear fruit in terms of the provision of continued investment and job creation for the people of South Tipperary and the region as a whole.