Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 282: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he has taken to find an enterprise for a location (details supplied) in Ballivor, County Meath. [3387/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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One of the targets in IDA Ireland's strategy document 'Horizon 2020' is the creation of 62,000 direct new jobs with 105,000 total jobs impact in Ireland over the period 2010-2014, with 50% of these investments to be based in locations outside of Dublin and Cork. Central to IDA's strategy is to build on existing regional strengths to ensure Ireland's economic development, while optimising regional spread, in line with the National Spatial Strategy.

To achieve balanced regional development, IDA Ireland markets the Gateway locations within each Region as areas of critical mass and highlights the opportunities provided by Hub locations which are within commuting distance of these Gateways. The East Region has one Gateway (Dublin) and a number of large towns including Navan, Drogheda, Naas, Arklow and Carlow and, as such, will continue to be a key location of focus for the winning of foreign direct investment (FDI). As well as marketing the region for new Greenfield investment, IDA Ireland continues to work with existing clients in encouraging them to broaden their mandate and to continue to re-invest in their sites within the region.

The availability of cost effective and flexible private property solutions forms a central part of IDA Ireland's marketing efforts. In this regard, IDA Ireland has informed me that it has met with the promoters of the NEC Facility in Ballivor and that it is actively marketing this facility for suitable projects. IDA Ireland has informed me that there are 16 IDA Ireland supported companies in Co Meath employing c. 1,300 people in key companies such as Generali International, Welch Allyn and Europ Assist.