Vol. 462 No. 3
28 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the plans, if any, he has to recommend that the IDA change their policy towards providing factory space in areas where there is a demand for such space. [4551/96]
In recent years it has been the policy of the Department of Enterprise and Employment and IDA Ireland to encourage private developers to provide advance factory space for promotion by IDA Ireland. In locations where advance factories are required, IDA Ireland will in certain circumstances offer rent guarantees of up to two years to developers and will make sites for advance factories available on IDA Ireland industrial estates. This policy is consistent with recommendations of two separate reviews of the property portfolio, by Forfás prior to the transfer of the portfolio to IDA Ireland at the start of this year, and by the evaluation unit attached to my Department.
There are, therefore, no plans for IDA Ireland to change that policy. Supply and demand for factory space is, however, kept under continuous review with the objective of ensuring that industrial development is fully facilitated.
