Written Answers. - Border Region Development.
Brendan Smith
Question:
41
Mr. B. Smith
asked the
Minister for Enterprise and Employment
the progress, if any, which has been made to date in implementing measures to improve the industrial infrastructure of the Border region; the funding, if any, which is being provided for such developments as referred to in his replies to Questions Nos. 27 of 25 January 1996 and 40 of 26 June 1996 from Deputy Brendan Smith; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[23163/96]
In 1995 there were critical shortages of land in key towns such as Sligo, Letterkenny, Cavan and Drogheda, and there were no advance factories available in the Border counties. Since IDA took over responsibility for industrial property in January 1996, progress has been made in the Border counties which includes:
Cavan
— IDA Ireland has concluded negotiations with Cavan County Council on a joint initiative to provide an appropriate land bank in Cavan town. Subject to final approval by both bodies, consultants will be appointed to plan the overall development of this site prior to seeking the provision of an advance factory by the private sector.
Monaghan
— IDA has recently upgraded its Knockaconny Industrial Park near Monaghan town. IDA will arrange for the private sector to construct an advance factory on this site. The advance factory in Monaghan will be provided following the provision of an advance factory in Cavan town, and will also be dependent on the general availability of factory space in the area at that time.
Sligo
— Approximately 27 acres of land has been acquired in Finisklin, Sligo for industrial development purposes. IDA has concluded a deal with a private developer for the provision of an advance building there. Planning permission has been obtained and construction will commence shortly.
Louth
— An additional four acres was acquired in Dundalk to provide proper access to the IDA land bank and planning permission had been obtained by a local property developer to construct an advance factory. This is due for completion in June 1997.
A range of options are being considered in conjunction with the Louth County Council to provide a 50 acre land bank in the Drogheda area. To date the combined efforts of the local authority and IDA Ireland have not resulted in the identification of property which can be purchased at realistic and competitive prices. This task is ongoing.
Donegal
— IDA had concluded an agreement with Donegal County Council to acquire 28 acres of land in Letterkenny to develop a business park. IDA is currently working on the planning and development of this park.
The local authorities have facilitated the provision of these lands in the Border counties largely through the mechanism of land swaps and, given the state of the transactions involved together with the fact that they are in the final stages of negotiations, it is not possible to specify the amount of expenditure by the IDA. However, the provision of advance factories in Dundalk, Cavan, Monaghan, Sligo and Donegal by the private sector will involve moneys in excess of £4 million.
IDA Ireland property policy for the Border counties seeks to ensure that a balance exists between the demand for industrial land and buildings and the supply of suitable projects. IDA endeavours to influence companies to locate in specific areas but, ultimately, the choice of location is made by the particular company itself.
