asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he will consider designating County Kerry as a separate IDA region.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - County Kerry Designation.
13.
County Kerry is already designated for the higher level of industrial grants.
I am informed that the Industrial Development Authority do not propose to establish County Kerry as a separate region for industrial development purposes. The existing regional structure, with County Kerry forming part of the south-west region, is beneficial to the county in that industrialists visiting any part of the south-west area normally consider County Kerry as a location for industrial investment.
In September 1983 the IDA appointed an assistant regional manager to their new office in Tralee to accelerate industrial development in the county. In addition, Tralee is being promoted as a priority town by the IDA.
We have 21 per cent unemployment in County Kerry and we are attached to the Cork and Kerry region. In view of the fact that there was a special task force appointed recently to deal with Cork, Kerry should have their own——
That is a nice little speech but you must ask a question.
Would the Minister reconsider his decision and have Kerry named a separate region?
With all due respects to the Deputy, we have enough partition without introducing a new one between Cork and Kerry. I am also surprised to hear the Deputy say that the Kerry region is attached to the Cork region. One could equally say that the Cork region is attached to the Kerry region and I would not expect a subjection of one county to another in this regard. The Kerry area within the south west region gets very careful attention. The fact that in September the Government announced the establishment of a special office of the IDA is significant in that it represents a commitment on the part of the Government to assist Kerry people in developing the potential of their county to the maximum extent.
I should like to remind the Minister——
You will have to remind him by way of a question.
Most of the IDA grants have gone to Cork instead of Kerry and the Minister should reconsider the case for Kerry because we are lost down there.