Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 1

Written Answers. - Investment in Border Regions.

Brendan Smith

Question:

12 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if additional incentives will be introduced to attract much needed inward investment to the Border region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6223/97]

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

Both Forbairt and IDA Ireland are actively seeking to increase the level of inward investment to the Border region. As I announced on Monday, IDA Ireland is currently implementing a new regional policy for employment growth at locations outside the larger urban centres. It is expected that in line with other locations the Border region will benefit from the bias of financial incentives in favour of regional locations, with higher grant levels as appropriate to each individual case.

This policy will involve working in partnership with local authorities to have available quality, serviced sites at priority locations for new industrial investment and private sector investors, stimulating and supporting a major programme of modern advance factory construction at key locations. IDA Ireland has been acquiring land for development in the Border region. It will also promote all advance factory space provided by the private sector in line with the policy for the provision of all future factory space by the private sector. IDA Ireland seeks to ensure that the supply of advance factories in any area matches the demand so that factories are not vacant for long periods and the private investors receive a return on their investments.

In the Border region, an advance factory is under construction in Dundalk. Negotiations have recently concluded between Cavan County Council and IDA Ireland to acquire a site in Cavan on which a private finance advance factory will be constructed. A developer will be sought to provide an advance factory in Monaghan when a project has been secured for the Cavan factory.

IDA Ireland will work in partnership with the local authority and the private sector to ensure that they are fully aware of the needs of modern mobile investment projects. It is in the interest of each local authority to make adequate provision for well serviced industrial lands if new industrial projects and new employment are to be secured for their areas.

Under the inward investment programme for the food industry, Forbairt has also been actively marketing the Border region for investment. The large Heinz facility in Dundalk is one of the notable successes from this approach. Forbairt will continue to actively promote the Border region and will also apply the additional incentives I mentioned for developments outside the major metropolitan areas.

In the forest products sector the major multinational companies are strategically located on a regional basis to maximise the raw material supply. The Masonite project which will employ 330 by 1998 is a prime example of this strategy. The impact on Leitrim and surrounding counties has already been substantial. Smaller projects of this type will, hopefully, continue to be developed on a regional basis.