Vol. 476 No. 1
33 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he has satisfied himself with the rate of new jobs created in Waterford city and county in 1995 and 1996; the number of new jobs created in Waterford city and county in 1995 and 1996; and if he has satisfied himself with the performance of the restructured IDA team for the area. [6221/97]
In 1995 client companies of IDA Ireland created 230 new jobs in Waterford city and county. In 1996, the comparable figure was 269 jobs. During 1996, IDA Ireland assisted five expansions and one new project in Waterford city and county which in total will create approximately 300 additional new jobs over the next two to three years.
The number of new greenfield manufacturing projects attracted to Ireland in any year is limited and many of these have specific locational requirements. Ultimately the choice of location is made by the company but experience of other overseas companies in an area can contribute to a company's decision-making process.
The development of the new port in Waterford harbour, which has doubled container capacity and recently completed improvements to the Waterford-New Ross road, will enhance the area's attractiveness for new inward investment.
IDA Ireland is currently actively promoting the following sites and buildings in Waterford city and county to overseas investors:— new high specification 25,000 sq. ft. advance factory which is under construction in Waterford city; new 21,000 sq. ft. advance factory which has been recently completed in Dungarvan, County Waterford; two newly refurbished units of 36,155 sq. ft. and one stand alone unit of 19,500 sq. ft. in Waterford industrial estate being promoted for international services projects; strategic site purchased at Belview adjacent to the new Waterford Port — 40 acres. Additional land purchase is being investigated and in addition the IDA is working closely with Waterford Corporation to establish a new business and technology park in the city.
The restructuring of the IDA team in the area is an internal operational matter for IDA Ireland and one in which I have no direct function. I understand, however, that the administrative changes introduced are working well to the benefit of the region and are being monitored to ensure that this continues to be the case.
Of the firms assisted by Forbairt, while there were net job losses of 95 in Waterford city and county in 1995, in 1996 there were net gains of 347 jobs, 257 of which were in Waterford city and 90 in Waterford county.
Since the city and county enterprise boards were established in late 1993, they have tapped into a new source of enterprise at a level previously not supported by the State agencies. I am confident that the boards will continue to provide valuable assistance to new and existing micro-enterprise companies throughout Waterford city and county.
Over 290 full-time and 50 part-time jobs were created in Waterford city and county in CEB-assisted enterprises in 1995 and 1996, according to figures supplied by the boards.
