Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 May 1980

Vol. 321 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Advance Factories.

2.

Mr. O'Toole

asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism the number of advance factories vacant at present, the location and the area of each, and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister of State at the Department of Industry, Commerce and Tourism (Mr. R. Burke)

I am informed by the Industrial Development Authority and Shannon Free Airport Development Company Ltd. that 104 completed advance factory units totalling approximately 1.4 million square feet are vacant at present. Of this number, 26 are small industry cluster units. The location and area of each of these factories is contained in a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann

Comhairle, I propose to have circulated. I would add that 65 of these factories, totalling over 980,000 square feet or 70 per cent of the total area, are at different stages of negotiation with the promoters of relevant projects.

Following is the statement:

List of Completed Advance Factory Units now Vacant Mid-May 1980.

	Sq. ft.
Donegal:
Moville	6,800*
Dunkineely	17,000*
Letterkenny	25,800*
Buncrana	24,000*
Buncrana Cluster	5×3,000
North-West:
Easkey	6,500*
Manorhamilton	10,000*
Carrick-on-Shannon	21,000*
Sligo	40,000*
Sligo Cluster	8,900*
Sligo Cluster	8,700*
West:
Clifden	10,000*
Portumna	6,800*
Westport	24,000*
Kiltimagh	23,000
Castlebar	3,500*
Castlebar	3,500*
Castlebar	3,500
Mid-West:
Corcanree	37,500
Raheen	32,000
Raheen	19,000
Newcastlewest	18,750
Kilmallock	7,000
Abbeyfeale	16,800
Knocklong	7,000
Nenagh	16,800
Kilrush	2×16,000
Shannon Industrial Estate (4 units)	115,343
South-West:
Dunmanway Cluster	4×3,000*
Ringaskiddy	11,700*
Bandon	10,000*
Killarney	24,000*
Tralee	24,700*
Tralee Cluster	6×3,000*
Mahon	22,000*
Carrigtwohill I	41,500*
Carrigtwohill II	40,000*
South-East:
Waterford	3,000*
Waterford	3,000*
Waterford	3,000*
Waterford	3,000*
Waterford	19,000*
Waterford	9,000*
Waterford	7,000*
Graiguemanagh	7,200*
Thomastown	7,200*
Carlow	6,600*
Carrick-on-Suir	25,000*
Cashel	25,000*
East (Dublin):
Liberties	4,800*
Cherry Orchard	9,500
Cherry Orchard	9,500*
Clondalkin Cluster	3,400*
Clondalkin Cluster	3,400*
Ballymun Cluster	3,300*
Ballymun Cluster	3,300
Ballymun Cluster	3,300
Ballymount N Block 3	4,500*
Block 5	3,400*
Block 6	3,400
Block 8	3,300
B Block 2	3,600*
M Block 2	9,200*
Clonshaugh	77,000*
Clonshaugh	3,500*
Cloverhill	20,000*
Sandyford	25,500*
Cloverhill	38,500*
Baldoyle	10,000*
East (Other):
Athy	24,000*
Rathnew	9,500
North-East:
Dundalk Cluster	3,000*
Ballyconnell	7,000
Dundalk	40,000*
Castleblayney	35,000*
Midlands:
Athlone Cluster	3,700
Tullamore Cluster	3,000*
Tullamore Cluster	3,000
Tullamore Cluster	3,000
Granard	7,000
Banagher	7,000
Longford	12,000*
Abbeyleix	10,000*
Edenderry	22,000*
Birr	23,500*
Boyle	25,500*
Athlone	39,700*
Castledermot	7,200*

*Under negotiation.

Mr. O'Toole

Is the Minister satisfied with the rate of progress being made in getting suitable tenants for existing factory sites?

Mr. R. Burke

I am very encouraged to see that, through the work of the IDA, 70 per cent of the overall total of 1.4 million square feet is at various stages of negotiation with relevant promoters.

Mr. O'Toole

Can the Minister give us any idea when the total square footage available may be taken up?

Mr. R. Burke

It would be impossible to give an answer to a question such as that.

Mr. O'Toole

Can he give us some idea when the 70 per cent now under negotiation will be filled?

Mr. R. Burke

Again it would be impossible to say. It would be wrong of me to mislead the Deputy by giving an answer of that type. I can assure the Deputy that, from the track record of the IDA over the past three years since this Government took office, I have no doubt the 1.4 million square feet will be taken up in the very near future.

Mr. O'Toole

Is the Minister aware that the work of the IDA was praised and applauded by this side of the House who set up the IDA in the first place?

Mr. Kelly

And the Fianna Fáil Party voted against it.

Mr. L'Estrange

They condemned it.

Mr. O'Toole

Are the IDA encountering difficulties at the moment in attracting industry?

Mr. R. Burke

There are always difficulties in attracting industry. There are varying difficulties at varying times. The IDA have been very successful. In the first two years they surpassed the targets they set for themselves for 1978-82 and I have no doubt that they will continue with this fine performance.

Mr. Kelly

Séan Lemass called it a typical product of the Fine Gael mentality.