asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the progress that has been made by his Department and the IDA to obtain a replacement industry for the Snia site in Sligo.
Written Answers. - County Sligo Industrial Site.
328.
Since the closure of the Snia factory, the Industrial Development Authority have been making strenuous efforts to secure a take-over of, or a replacement industry for the factory. Details of the facilities available have been circulated to all IDA overseas offices and contact has been made with the major nylon yarn producers worldwide as well as a number of nylon end-users and raw material suppliers. However, no firm proposal for a take-over of the factory has so far emerged. Details of the factory are also being brought to the attention of companies in other sectors who may require such facilities. Every effort will continue to be made to secure a take-over or replacement project.
A local task force with wide representation from industry, State agencies and community groups has been established to promote actively, especially among the former Snia employees, the facilities and incentives available through the small industries programme.
The IDA have succeeded in attracting a number of significant new companies to Sligo this year, for example, Nielsen Moulding Design and Dyneer Corporation, which expect to employ up to 100 people between them over the next year. A total of 82,500 sq.ft. of advance factory space and small industry units totalling 8,000 sq. ft. in County Sligo, as well as over 150 acres of industrial land for development, are also being vigorously promoted by the IDA for new industrial projects. In addition, 3,000 sq. ft. of small industry incubator units are being provided by the IDA at both Sligo and Tubbercurry.