Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the discussions he has had with the Industrial Development Authority regarding job creation in Dungarvan, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8589/08]

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. 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.

I have had a number of opportunities to discuss issues around enterprise development and job creation in the Dungarvan area in the presence of IDA officials and public representatives. My consistent message to all the stakeholders in Dungarvan and its hinterland has been that the challenge now is to build on our success in attracting foreign direct investment by finding new and innovative ways of working, marketing and delivering goods to world markets. The strategic location of Dungarvan presents opportunities to potential investors in this regard.

IDA Ireland is actively engaged with its existing client base in Co. Waterford to encourage their transition to higher value activities and to promote further investment in Ireland. The Agency is concentrating its efforts on the gateway city of Waterford and the hub town of Dungarvan and is involved in the development of world class property solutions in both locations to meet the needs of new and existing clients.

In parallel with developments on the property solutions side, IDA Ireland works closely with third level educational institutes in the region so that the skill sets necessary to attract high-value employment to the County are being developed. The Agency maintains a close relationship with FÁS so that the requirements of industry, particularly in the area of training and up-skilling, are being met.

I am satisfied that the strategies in place by the Agency, together with the roll out of the National Development Plan, will continue to bring investment and job creation for the people of the region as a whole.