Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 511: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Industrial Development Authority initiated visits of potential investors or companies to Gorey over each of the past four years in an effort to bring jobs to the town in view of the fact that it has seen no job creation other than in the retail/service sector and the huge increase in population whereby it is acknowledged that Gorey is the fastest growing town in County Wexford; the dates of such visits; the results of discussions which have taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11657/08]

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 to Ireland and its regions. The marketing of individual areas, including Gorey, 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 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's strategy for County Wexford is to concentrate resources on the Hub town of Wexford as the location with the greatest potential to develop first class facilities for attracting overseas industry.

At present, there are 11 IDA supported companies in Wexford, New Ross, Enniscorthy and Gorey employing approximately 2,000 people. The County has a strong base of manufacturing companies with the majority performing well in a challenging environment. The Agency is actively engaged with its existing base of manufacturing companies in County Wexford, highlighting the ongoing importance of upskilling / reskilling and the need to add high-value activities in order to ensure their on going development and sustainability for the long term.

In addition, through its network of overseas offices, IDA Ireland has been actively working to attract overseas companies in newer high-value sectors to Wexford and the profile of clients has been changing with Lake Region and Waters Corporation (Medical Technologies) and PFPC and Equifax (International Services) now firmly established in the County. IDA Ireland is committed to the ongoing marketing of the County as a location for knowledge-intensive industries. I am informed by the Agency that it has not hosted any site visits by potential investors to Gorey in the past four years.