Written Answers. - County Louth Employment.
Michael Bell
Question:
39
Mr. Bell
asked the
Minister for Enterprise and Employment
the number of jobs lost in County Louth north and south over the past four years; the number of job created in the industrial and commercial sectors in the same area over the same period; his views on whether a serious situation exists in County Louth in view of the fact that unemployment figures there are above the national average; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4122/97]
Forbairt and IDA Ireland are the two principal job creating agencies under the aegis of my Department. The number of jobs created and lost, as well as the net change in employment, in County Louth over the past four years in so far as these agencies are concerned, is as follows:
|
1993
|
1994
|
1995
|
1996
|
|
Forbairt
|
|
|
|
|
|
Job gains
|
526
|
567
|
375
|
349
|
|
Job losses
|
–472
|
–378
|
–438
|
–326
|
|
Net Change
|
+54
|
+189
|
–63
|
+23
|
|
IDA Ireland
|
|
|
|
|
|
Job gains
|
485
|
548
|
334
|
68
|
|
Job losses
|
–237
|
–95
|
–242
|
–570
|
|
Net Change
|
+248
|
+453
|
+92
|
–502
|
Also in relation to Louth Country Enterprise Board, the following is the position: CEB — since end of 1993 to end 1996 — number of full-time jobs in place — 182. The Deputy will note from the foregoing that quite substantial gains in employment were recorded in County Louth at the beginning of the four year period 1993-1996. Regrettably, 1996 saw an increase in jobs lost which was due almost exclusively to the substantial job losses arising during the year in Keytronic, based in Dundalk. However, I understand that, as a direct response to the situation in Keytronic, a new advance factory is due to commence construction shortly in Dundalk. This is expected to be available for promotion by mid-year.
Also, a number of new projects for the Louth area were announced during 1996. These included Engineered Plastic Components Ltd (EPC) and DSC Communications. While these projects are only in start-up phase at the moment, it is anticipated that EPC will create 297 jobs while DSC expects employment growth of 475 jobs. Such a significant contribution to employment levels in Louth will greatly assist in re-establishing growth across the north east region.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the number of new greenfield manufacturing projects attracted to Ireland in any year is limited and many of these have specific locational requirements which reduces their mobility within the country. Ultimately, the choice of location is made, not by the development agencies, but by the company itself taking account of competitive advantages such as infrastructure and business environment. Regional dispersal of new overseas companies is a priority for this Government and much effort and resources have been, and will continue to be, invested in securing this important objective, IDA Ireland, for example, is working in partnership with local authorities and the private sector to ensure that they are fully aware of the needs of mobern mobile investment projects. It is in the interest of each local authority to make adequate provision for well services industrial lands if new industrial projects and new employment are to be secured for their areas.
In the case of the north east region, in particular, IDA Ireland is actively seeking to attract new inward investment through the acquisition of land for development. A range of options are being considered in conjunction with Louth County Council to provide a large landbank in the Drogheda area and it is hoped this matter will be progressed over the coming months. I understand that IDA Ireland is also scheduled to meet shortly with the North-Eastern Health Board, to pursue initiatives designed to substantially upgrade a 50 acre site owned by the health board in Ardee, with a view to improving its marketability for a new inward investment.
The decision of Heinz Corporation, a company which falls within Forbairt's remit, to locate its Custom Foods frozen meals project in Dundalk will, it is hoped, lead to an additional 200 jobs for the town in the next two years. Forbairt has also advised me that employment has increased in the strategically targeted information technology sector and future job prospects in this area are expected to be enhanced by current developments in the regional development centre at the regional technical college in Dundalk.
Finally, the good news from Louth County Enterprise Board is that, since its establishment in late 1993, it has approved 153 projects worth over £1 million in grants. These projects are expected to lead to a total of 250 full-time jobs of which, I understand, 182 were already in place by the end of 1996. I wish to assure the Deputy that the industrial development agencies have every intention of continuing to work hard in order to promote and increase employment in the Louth area.
