Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Jan 1996

Vol. 460 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - Lack of Factory Space in Border Regions.

James Leonard

Question:

90 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he will request the administrators of the various schemes, namely IFA, INTERREG, EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation and EU Operational Programme, to refocus their programmes to take into account the identified shortage of factory space necessary to meet demands in Border regions. [1509/96]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

Of the programmes mentioned by the Deputy, and I presume that he means to refer to the International Fund for Ireland (IFI), the only programme for which I have overall responsibility is the Operational Programme for Industrial Development.

Under the Operational Programme, IDA Ireland has responsibility in relation to the provision of industrial land and buildings in the Border regions.

To enable IDA Ireland compete for mobile overseas industry, one of the essential requirements is the availability of good quality, fully serviced industrial sites and buildings in key locations. Other requirements include quality transport, infrastructural and educational facilities, and proximity to a sizeable population centre. In this regard, representatives from my own Department, the Department of Finance, IDA Ireland and Forbairt are currently engaged in discussions with Oireachtas members from the Border counties. These discussions are focused on examining if the various special funds for the Border counties can be used to provide industrial infrastructure to make the area more attractive for industrial investment.

IDA Ireland itself is actively endeavouring to promote the provision of new facilities in the region, either directly itself or in partnership with other interests, including other parties with a particular interest in development in the Border regions.