Written answers

Tuesday, 24 January 2012

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation

Industrial Development

9:00 pm

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 294: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, further to Parliamentary Question No. 282 of 10 November 2010, the progress made to date on obtaining an alternative employer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4024/12]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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In relation to the facility concerned, I understand from Enterprise Ireland that the agency has been monitoring the situation closely and continues to pursue a replacement enterprise for these premises. Currently, no further progress can be reported and no active enquiries are known to the agency. I have also been advised that the company concerned has advertised the premises for sale.

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 295: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of itineraries by potential investors that have been hosted by IDA Ireland in County Roscommon in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4025/12]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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IDA Ireland has informed me that County Roscommon has traditionally been regarded as a centre of manufacturing for foreign direct investment (FDI) and has been comprehensively marketed by IDA Ireland as such. In recent years, however, it has proved challenging to attract overseas manufacturing companies into the County as much of this investment globally is going to low cost destinations with the result that there has been one site visit in the past five years. Part of this locational shift has involved job reductions and losses in long established employers in the County.

IDA Ireland has confirmed that it is currently supporting seven companies in Roscommon which employ approximately 830 people. The agency has also explained that it has invested in the physical infrastructure required to attract today's FDI to County Roscommon. This includes investing €2.2 million in a quality flagship Business Park in Roscommon Town. The agency has also undertaken a major upgrade and enhancement of its existing Industrial Estate at Racecourse Road/Gallowstown which includes site services, broadband ducting and significant landscaping upgrades to bring the Park to top quality standards for marketing purposes. The Park is now an integral part of the agency's international marketing programme.

IDA Ireland has assured me that, while County Roscommon is still at the early stages of developing itself as a location for higher value added FDI, IDA Ireland is committed to marketing the County and promoting the town of Roscommon as County Roscommon's premier location for FDI investment.

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 296: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of itineraries by potential investors that have been hosted by IDA Ireland in County Leitrim in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4026/12]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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IDA Ireland has informed me that County Leitrim has traditionally been regarded as a centre of manufacturing for foreign direct investment (FDI) and has been comprehensively marketed by IDA Ireland as such. In recent years, however, it has proved challenging to attract overseas manufacturing companies into the County as much of this investment globally is going to low cost destinations with the result that there has been no site visits in the past five years. Part of this locational shift has involved job reductions and losses in long established employers in the County.

IDA Ireland's Strategy for County Leitrim incorporating the North West Region is:

- to progress the development of a knowledge economy, in order that the Region can compete both nationally and internationally for foreign direct investment;

- to work with the existing client base in the County and to expand their presence in the County;

- to provide modern property solutions with supporting infrastructure; and,

- to work with Local Authorities and relevant infrastructure providers to influence the delivery of appropriate infrastructure to the County.

IDA Ireland has confirmed that it is currently supporting four companies in Leitrim that employ 780 people. IDA is working closely with Bank of America management in Carrick on Shannon to minimise the impact of the proposed sale of the Irish and UK credit card business on employees and to ensure jobs are maintained at the facility. The most recent investment in the County was by Mirror Controls International (MCI) in May 2010 to consolidate its European manufacturing operations into its Irish plant based in Manorhamilton. The transfer of production to the Manorhamilton facility from Montfoort, Holland created 50 jobs and the expansion of the existing facility.

IDA Ireland has assured me that it is actively engaged with its existing base of companies in Leitrim. The Agency continues to highlight the ongoing importance of upskilling/reskilling and the need to add high value activities in order to ensure sustainability and ongoing development.

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