Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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272. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding Drogheda in County Louth with respect to the recently announced jobs strategy; the reason Drogheda, which is the biggest town in the county, has not been included by name in this strategy; if it will be included; if he will meet Drogheda Chamber of Commerce as a matter of urgency to resolve this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8115/15]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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On 11 February, the Government announced details of the Action Plan for Jobs: Regional initiative which will seek to maximise the strengths and assets of each region to support enterprise growth and job creation. The Regional Action Plans will identify specific measures that can be taken to help each region to realise its economic potential, with a view to increasing the number of people at work in the region. My objective is that six Regional Action Plans, including one for the Border region, will be launched by July, with two remaining Plans in development at that stage.

In launching the Action Plan for Jobs: Regional initiative, I announced that new funding of up to €250 million will be made available over the next five years to support job creation through enterprise growth in the regions. This sum includes €150 million for an IDA property investment programme to attract foreign direct investment into the regions, and €100 million to Enterprise Ireland to support indigenous enterprises to start up, grow and export.

As part of IDA’s capital investment programme, a total of nine locations were identified in the recent announcement as headline investments to occur in the period 2015-2017; these investments include facilities at Sligo and Dundalk within the Border Region.

IDA regularly assesses property requirements in Regions and has identified locations where quality building and site solutions would enhance the winning of FDI for a region, commencing with identified locations over the next 3-5 year period. The locations identified provide a good offering to companies seeking to invest, for example- a good population base, the presence of a third level college, an existing base of FDI and indigenous companies and good transportation links.

In addition, it should be noted that the Advance Facilities announced recently represent less than half of the total investment in property solutions as part of the new IDA Strategy. Significant resources will be invested in utility intensive strategic sites which have a track record of attracting FDI as well as a substantial upgrade of large sections of the existing Business Park network to ensure an attractive suite of investment location options are available to potential investors.

Consultation with local stakeholders will be an essential part of the process of developing the Regional Action Plans for Jobs. In this context, officials from my Department and the Enterprise Development Agencies will consult with all relevant bodies who can assist in the development of these Regional Action Plans, including the local Chambers of Commerce. The local Chambers can also play an important role in promoting and delivering actions to support enterprise development and job creation in each region. I look forward to the contribution they can make, throughout the country, to the Regional Action Plans for Jobs.