Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 236: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action she has taken to work with the IDA Ireland to organise prospective inward investment to south Tipperary for 2008 and 2009; the number of scheduled visits by the IDA Ireland with investors planned for 2008 and 2009 to south Tipperary; the plans to use a factory (details supplied) in Tipperary Town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27983/08]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 237: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the strategies and policies that have been formed to prioritise job creation and inward investment in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary following the visit of the Oireachtas Joint Committee of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in January 2008. [27989/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 236 and 237 together.

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, for new or expansion FDI investments and jobs, including the arrangement of site visits, 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.

The strategies and programmes of the development agencies under the aegis of my Department are very much in line with the National Development Plan and the National Spatial Strategy, which have been specifically designed to overcome any impediments that may exist to economic development and job creation across the country as a whole.

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. The Agency is actively engaged with its existing client base in Co. Tipperary to encourage their transition to higher value activities and to embed their operations within Ireland. In addition, IDA Ireland continues to work closely with third level educational institutions and FÁS in the region so that the skill sets necessary to attract high value added employment to the county are being developed.

In line with the above, IDA has purchased c. 20 hectares of land in the South Tipperary Co. Council owned Ballingarrane Estate in Clonmel. The future development of the Ballingarrane lands, incorporating the IDA Business Park and Tipperary Institute, will be a key asset in attracting foreign direct investment into South Tipperary.

While there are no itineraries planned in the immediate future, any prospective investors will be advised regarding the range of property solutions available in the County.

As Ireland competes for investments at the highest end of the value chain the concept of scale is crucial to our economic destiny. Leading corporations require a significant population of highly qualified talent, effective physical and digital infrastructure coupled with availability of sophisticated professional support services. If we are to continue being successful in realising a large proportion of our investments outside of the larger cities, all economic and social stakeholders will need to adhere to the framework on which the NSS is constructed. Future thinking and action must have a regional rather than a local bias and this requires a significant change in mindset.