asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if it is now the policy of the IDA to develop clusters of industry in areas already somewhat industrialised: if this policy will be pursued to the disadvantage of areas which are still seeking minimal industrialisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - IDA Industrial Policy.
15.
I presume the Deputy has in mind the provision of factory clusters for small industry of the type recently established in Sligo. This is the only location to date where the Industrial Development Authority have provided a factory cluster. I understand that the authority have no plans at present to provide a similar development at any other location but that they will be considering the matter in the light of experience of the development at Sligo. I am satisfied that any developments in this direction will not operate to the disadvantage of areas still undeveloped industrially. As the Deputy knows advance factories have been provided in many areas which have little industrialisation.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary assure us that this is not an interpretation of the Buchanan Report?
This is an isolated experiment in Sligo and the authority will be seeing how it works before making any decision in relation to future factory clusters.