John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 173: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her plans to bring new industry to Waterford city and Dungarvan, County Waterford, in view of recent announcements of substantial job losses in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30102/09]

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

The Industrial Development agencies under the aegis of my Department, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, together with the Waterford City and County Enterprise Boards, are responsible for enterprise development in County Waterford. In line with the National Spatial Strategy, IDA Ireland is concentrating its efforts in the County on the Gateway City of Waterford and the town of Dungarvan. The County has a long and strong track record as a centre of manufacturing expertise. It has a key strength in engineering both in indigenous and overseas industry. In more recent years however, the focus has been on attracting newer and more advanced manufacturing, particularly in the Life Sciences Sector and in the area of International & Financial Services activities.

At present there are thirty one IDA Ireland supported companies in Waterford City and County employing approximately 5,960 people. In addition to marketing the County for new inward investment, the agency is also actively engaged with its existing clients to encourage their transition to higher value activities and to promote further investment in Ireland. In the area of providing tailored property solutions to meet the needs of existing and prospective clients, the agency has developed the Waterford Business & Technology Park and the Dungarvan Business Park. In addition, it has developed a large scale Greenfield site in Belview, specifically targeted to larger scale utility intensive overseas investments. A further site on the Kilmeaden Road in Waterford City is also available for Greenfield investment.

In parallel with developments on the property side, IDA Ireland continues to work closely with Third Level Educational Institutions in the South East Region so that the skill sets necessary to attract high value added employment to the County are being developed. The agency also works with the Training and Employment agency FÁS to ensure that the requirements of industry, particularly in the area of training and up-skilling, are being met.

Enterprise Ireland provides a rapid incubation programme designed to provide hands-on support and management development for entrepreneurs who wish to start their own business. As part of Enterprise Ireland's South East Regional Strategy, the South-East Enterprise Platform Programme is underway at the Waterford Institute of Technology with sixteen participants to date in the current Programme. As part of the ongoing drive to promote entrepreneurship in the region, Enterprise Ireland has also run a series of Enterprise START workshops to encourage potential entrepreneurs to explore their business ideas. A total of forty nine participants from Waterford have taken part in the workshops held in 2009.

The development of Community Enterprise Centres is a crucial part of EI's drive to create new regional enterprise. The agency approved funding in 2008 of €450,000 towards a new Centre in the Ballybeg area and the Cappoquin Enterprise Centre was approved a grant of €50,000 for a Manager. The annual South East Enterprise Week, which showcases successful entrepreneurs and encourages and assists current and potential entrepreneurs, will take place from 12 to 17 October this year. Throughout the South East, events will take place to promote and encourage entrepreneurship. Local Enterprise Ireland staff are closely involved in the initiative through the Spirit of Enterprise Regional Forum.

Waterford City Enterprise Board held a number of information days for the staff of Waterford Crystal, offering potential entrepreneurs the opportunity to engage and discuss the different facilities available from the CEB. The CEB has since assisted a number of employees to set up their own businesses through the provision of financial assistance and the appointment of a Mentor to assist with the development of those business plans.

The Board has refocused its training programmes to assist businesses to maintain growth and employment through the present economic crisis. Topics covered include Sales Training, Getting Paid / Controlling your Cash Flow and Overhead Cost Savings. A "Fresh Start 2009" Seminar was held on 11 September to showcase what supports are available from local agencies and organizations when exploring the idea of setting up a business. Following on from this seminar, the CEB hopes to provide a Business Idea Generation Programme for those wishing to pursue a career in entrepreneurship but may not have a clear business objective.

The Board also intends to hold a series of Business Information Clinics as well as a number of lunch-time seminars covering such topics as Marketing on a Shoe-string, Basic Book Keeping, Managing your Business Costs and Open Source Software. The Board has joined with the Business Department of Waterford Institute of Technology to hold a number of seminars on looking at self-employment as an option for future graduates. Waterford County Enterprise Board is currently working on a marketing programme with the tourism sector to increase visitor numbers and cultivate the industry in Co. Waterford. The Board is also working with Waterford IT in an attempt to revitalise the glass industry in the Region.

I am satisfied that the policies and initiatives being pursued by the Industrial Development agencies and the CEBs will continue to bring about industrial development and employment opportunities for Waterford City and Dungarvan.

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 174: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of factories in Waterford city and county, on which the Industrial Development Authority has long-term lease agreements, which are empty; the cost to the State of long-term lease agreements for such premises; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30103/09]

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

Under the Industrial Development Acts, the management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio is a day to day operational matter for the Agency and not one in which I have a function. I am informed by the IDA that there are 6 units in Waterford City and County on which the agency has long term lease agreements, and which are currently available for use. The amount due on the balance of the leases of these 6 properties is €1,545,096. However, it is anticipated that a number of these properties will be occupied or redeveloped during that period, which has the potential to reduce this liability. It is a critical part of IDA Ireland's strategy that a portfolio of buildings be continuously available for its clients and those of Enterprise Ireland.