asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the plans, if any, there are for industrial development and job creation generally in the Dublin inner city area, in view of the serious unemployment situation there; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers - Dublin Inner City Industrial Development.
130.
The Industrial Development Authority, who are the body responsible for industrial development in the Dublin inner city area, have assured me that they are actively promoting the area for suitable industrial projects.
The IDA have nearly 500,000 sq. ft. of factory space at a number of locations in the inner city. These include enterprise centres at Gloucester Place-Gardiner Street, Pearse Street and East Wall Road, and small industry units at Prussia Street and in the Liberties, in which over 1,000 people are employed.
In addition, the IDA maintain close contact with community groups and workers' co-operatives in the inner city and a senior IDA Executive co-ordinates this activity. Groups who wish to develop their own manufacturing enterprises are actively encouraged and the full range of incentives are made available to them.
Since the IDA were entrusted by the Government with responsibility for marketing the International Financial Services Centre at the Custom House Dock site, 18 projects, with a job potential in excess of 800, have been approved by the IDA and passed for certification to the Minister for Finance. As stated in the Programme for National Recovery, “the International Financial Services Centre at the Custom House Docks is now estimated to generate some 7,500 jobs over the next 3-4 years.” While this naturally will take some time to realise in practice, the momentum behind the project and the enthusiasm with which the incentive package has been received internationally gives every reason for confidence. Furthermore it is expected that during the construction phase of the centre at least 2,000 jobs will be created. I have been assured by the IDA that they will continue in their efforts to promote industrial development in the Dublin inner city area.