Written Answers. - Job Creation.
Olwyn Enright
Question:
115
Ms Enright
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
the number of jobs in IDA-supported companies created in County Offaly and County Laois in each year for the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4459/03]
Information on the number of jobs in IDA-supported companies created in Counties Offaly and Laois over the past five years is included in the following tabular statement.
Over the past five years the IDA-supported companies in Laois and Offaly have faced difficulties. Laois and Offaly, as well as much of the midlands, are in a period of transition from dependence on the more cost competitive sectors to the higher value-added activities. Part of this transition has reflected job reductions and losses in long-established employers in the region such as Leoni Ireland in Birr, Lowe Alpine Systems in Tullamore, Avon Arlington in Portarlington and C&M Europe Limited in Portlaoise. These job losses have been disappointing and reinforce the task and objectives of the IDA to build and attract companies in the more modern industrial and higher value-added activities. To achieve this result, a strategic programme is now fully operational and will deliver the results I believe the region deserves, namely: 50% of all new greenfield jobs over the 2000-2006 period to be located in the Objective One region; roll-out of the broadband metro-rings for Portlaoise and Tullamore, which is expected to be in place and fully operational by end of 2003; construction of the Monasterevin bypass, part of the M7, which is due to commence during 2003 and will extend motorway and dual carriageway from Dublin to the south-west of Portlaoise, considerably improving road access. Completion of the M6 from Dublin to Athlone to Galway will also significantly enhance the marketing of the midlands region. Construction of the Kilcock-Kinnegad section of the M6 is due to commence in spring 2003. The Dublin-Galway gas pipeline is now completed and distribution lines are to be run into Tullamore. Portlaoise is already on the gas pipeline.
IDA Ireland's property programme is also operational. Srah business park, Tullamore, is being upgraded and all infrastructural work will be complete by July 2003. Total investment in the park is approximately €3.5 million. The IDA is marketing the 27,000 sq. ft. facility on the business park, which is planned for upgrade. Portlaoise business park – developers are on-site to complete landscaping and infrastructural work and to construct a 17,000 sq. ft. office facility. Total investment in the park is approximately €3 million. The results of this are already beginning to flow with the announcement of the GeneMedix European manufacturing centre and Zannini Ireland's pharmaceutical packaging facility for the Srah business park, Tullamore. Other developments in the region are the announcements by Oakley to establish a 100-person prescription eyewear facility in Mullingar, which is now in production, and the expansion of the GMACCM facility, also in Mullingar.
I am confident that the commitment of the Government to regional development, as evidenced by the combined investments in the NDP, metro-loops and the gas pipeline, together with the marketing initiatives now under way by IDA Ireland, will build on the progress already achieved in this region.
|
|
1998
|
1999
|
2000
|
2001
|
*2002
|
Laois
|
Number of companies
|
9
|
6
|
6
|
7
|
6
|
Laois
|
Permanent employment
|
756
|
386
|
392
|
347
|
334
|
Laois
|
Gross gains (new jobs)
|
7
|
23
|
41
|
14
|
30
|
Laois
|
Job losses
|
-108
|
-393
|
-35
|
-59
|
-43
|
Laois
|
Net change in employment
|
-101
|
-370
|
6
|
-45
|
-13
|
|
|
1998
|
1999
|
2000
|
2001
|
*2002
|
Offaly
|
Number of companies
|
12
|
14
|
13
|
12
|
11
|
Offaly
|
Permanent employment
|
1,534
|
1,884
|
1,620
|
1,308
|
1,191
|
Offaly
|
Gross gains (new jobs)
|
90
|
409
|
100
|
129
|
120
|
Offaly
|
Job losses
|
-35
|
-59
|
-364
|
-441
|
-237
|
Offaly
|
Net change in employment
|
55
|
350
|
-264
|
-312
|
-117
|
* Please note that the figures for 2002 are preliminary figures only.