asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the present position and the immediate future prospects of all the vacant IDA factories in the constituency of Laois-Offaly; and if he will make a statement in regard to each one of them.
Written Answers. - Laois-Offaly IDA Factories.
279.
I am informed by the Industrial Development Authority that there are vacant advance factories at the following locations in Counties Laois and Offlay: Clara, Edenderry, Mountmellick and Tullamore.
The IDA are actively seeking new industrial projects for the vacant factories in counties Laois and Offlay. Since the beginning of this year 15 industrial promoters have been taken to visit the factory in Clara and 12 to visit the factory in Edenderry. Negotiations are continuing with one overseas firm regarding a possible project for Edenderry. A number of firms have expressed interest in locating in Clara.
Two units in the 15,000 sq.ft. cluster factory at Tullamore have been allocated to projects which have been approved for grants under the IDA's small industries programme. I understand that a number of inquiries have been received regarding the remaining three units and it is expected that they will be allocated before the end of the year.
To date six industrial promoters have been taken to visit the factory in Mountmellick which was completed in July and negotiations are currently in progress with an overseas company which is expected to make a decision in the matter shortly.
The Deputy will be aware that three projects, having a combined job potential of 490 persons at full production, have recently occupied advance factories in Laois-Offaly: Enbi Ltd. at Portlaoise, Eaton Allen Corporation at Birr and Lewicki Microelectronic at Tullamore.