Vol. 474 No. 3
23 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2728/97]
Progress has been made in improving the industrial infrastructure of the Border counties as follows and this is detailed in a note I am circulating with this reply. Briefly the situation is as follows: County Cavan — 40 acre site acquired; County Monaghan — site at Knockaconny being upgraded and an advance factory to be provided in Monaghan town; County Sligo — 27 acre site acquired and advance factory to be built; County Louth — advance factory to be built in Dundalk and County Donegal — 28 acres acquired in Letterkenny for development.
The local authorities have facilitated the provision of lands in the Border counties, largely through land swaps and, given the fact that in some circumstances negotiations are in the final stages, it is not possible to specify the amount of expenditure by IDA Ireland at this stage. However, the provision of advance factories in Dundalk, Cavan, Monaghan, Sligo and Donegal by the private sector will involve expenditure in excess of £4 million.
IDA Ireland's policy for the Border counties is to ensure that a balance exists between the demand for industrial land and buildings and the supply of suitable projects. It endeavours to influence the regional distribution of projects, but ultimately the choice of location is made by the investors.
Border Region Development
County Cavan: Negotiations have been concluded with Cavan County Council to acquire a 40 acre site adjacent to Cavan town. IDA is hopeful that construction of an advance factory there, by private investors, will commence within the next 12 months.
County Monaghan: The IDA continues to upgrade and invest in its site at Knockaconny, County Monaghan. During 1996 substantial investment was made by the agency in upgrading this site to encourage provision by the private sector of an advance factory. An advance factory in Monaghan town is also to be provided. However, the timing of this will be dependent on the general availability of factory space in the area.
County Sligo: Approximately 27 acres of land have been acquired in Finisklin, Sligo, for industrial development purposes. The IDA has concluded a deal with a private developer for the provision of an advance factory there. Planning permission has been obtained and construction will commence shortly.
County Louth — Dundalk: Planning permission has now been obtained by a private developer to construct an advance factory in Dundalk. This building is scheduled for commencement this week and should be available for promotion by IDA by mid-1997.
