Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the priority that has been given to the midlands region under the new strategic plan aimed at attracting foreign direct investment, Horizon 2020; the types of industry that will be earmarked for the region; the way it is intended to market the area to these industries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16736/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The recently launched IDA strategy, entitled "Horizon 2020" sets the following high level goals for the five year period 2010 to 2014:-

Ø Create 62,000 new jobs in direct employment with a further 43,000 jobs in indirect employment, a total of 105,000 jobs

Ø 640 Investments

Ø 50% of FDI projects outside of Dublin and Cork

Ø 20% of greenfield investments from emerging high-growth markets

Ø €1.7 BN investment in RD&I per annum by client companies

The National Spatial Strategy (NSS) aims to achieve a balance of social and economic development across the country and IDA strategy for the regions is closely aligned to the NSS and the gateway and hub locations. However, the challenge in achieving an even spread of investment across the country is intensified as the sophistication of investments increase. These investments require a concentration of highly qualified and educated workers, supporting infrastructure and high level business services.

Already the Midlands region is home to a high concentration of Medical Device industries, and has become a winning location for a vibrant and sustainable Life Sciences environment. There are 44 IDA supported companies employing 4,542 people in the Midlands Region. IDA's Medical Technologies department is based in the Midlands and is well positioned to facilitate collaborations between existing client companies and local indigenous companies to enhance the growing cluster while embracing new technologies and processes.

As well as marketing the Midlands Region for new Greenfield investment, IDA continues to work with existing clients to broaden their mandate in Ireland and to continue to re-invest in their sites within the Region. IDA Ireland strongly encourages client companies to invest in Research and Development and provides a comprehensive R&D package to support this activity. The Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) has introduced and developed programmes in line with changing regional, national and international needs. The emphasis which the Institute has placed on research activities and liaison with industrial and commercial organisations has helped to ensure the relevance and technological competence of courses at the institute.

The completion of the M6 motorway from Dublin to Galway offers significant benefits to the Midlands with accessibility to larger urban centres, transport links and the ability to attract a large talent pool being critical deciding factors for many FDI clients. This has facilitated the emergence of a new medical technology cluster closely aligned with the Galway cluster. Frequently, competition for Foreign Direct Investment is not between countries but between city regions with populations in excess of one million people. Dublin is the only recognised city region in Ireland that meets these criteria. If FDI is to continue to contribute to balanced regional development, the other regions of the country must be developed and promoted as regions of scale with urban centres that provide the range of infrastructure and services that high value investment projects demand. The development of the Midlands Gateway is intended to be helpful to the Midlands region in this regard.