Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1707: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of site visits to Navan, County Meath, the industrial promotion agencies have planned for the remainder of 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32252/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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IDA Ireland is responsible for attracting foreign direct investment to Ireland and its regions. I am informed by IDA that:

In February 2010 Generale PanEurope(GPE) and Generali International(GI) announced that they have commissioned a new building, which will be located in the IDA Navan Business Park, Athlumney, Navan, County Meath. It is envisaged that the numbers employed will continue to increase over the coming years

During 2009 BT Ireland announced that they will locate a 50 person emergency call centre operation in the Navan Business Park and are currently fitting out a 10,000 sq.ft. unit.

Some other key client companies located in Navan Business Park include:

Europ Assistance Holdings Limited whose employment has grown steadily over the past number of years to 170 in insurance related activities.

PNC International who established their operation in Navan in 2006 and who currently employ in the region of 65 people.

Welch Allyn Limited, who have expanded their workforce to almost 100 people in the production and development of medical device products.

Availability of suitable land and facilities is one of the important attractions in encouraging FDI to Ireland. In Navan, IDA Ireland has 25.5 hectares of serviced industrial lands available to market at the IDA Business Park in Navan. The availability of these site options is widely circulated and currently IDA's property department are in active negotiation with three prospective investors who have expressed strong interest in locating new operating facilities in Navan Business Park. These negotiations are expected to be completed shortly.

With regard to potential future itinerary visits to Navan in 2010, it is not possible to project what level of itinerary activity will include Navan as these decisions are ultimately made by the prospective visitor/investor. IDA is acutely aware of the need to increase FDI levels in County Meath and the availability of quality property options in Navan is a crucial element in these marketing efforts.