asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he proposes to initiate any further task-type bodies or agencies, similar to SFADCo, to assist with regional or local industrial development, which would have a limited lifespan, but which would be able to concentrate their attentions and resources on key problem areas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Regional-Local Industrial Development.
20.
I do not propose at this time to establish any further bodies or agencies to assist with regional or local industrial development. I am satisfied that in a country the size of Ireland the existence of agencies like the IDA, SFADCo and Údarás na Gaeltachta more than adequately fulfil needs in this regard.
The operations of SFADCo and Údarás na Gaeltachta and the regionalisation of the IDA's small industries programme ensure that State services are available to the entrepreneur in a unified and clear way at local level. The IDA's regionalisation programme has led to a significant improvement in communications between IDA project executives and their client companies at all stages of a project's development.
Finally, the Deputy will be aware that in the current budgetary climate the thrust of this Government's policy is to rationalise and streamline the activities of public sector bodies. I believe the creation of additional industrial development agencies at a regional level would run counter to this policy and represent a serious retrograde step.