Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Nov 1997

Vol. 483 No. 2

Written Answers. - Regional Industrial Development.

Brendan Smith

Question:

91 Mr. B. Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the special measures, if any, which are being taken to attract inward investment to County Cavan; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of centres throughout the county need new employment opportunities; if a special effort will be made to create much needed employment in County Cavan in view of the difficulties Border counties have endured for the past 28 years; if she will instruct her Department and the industrial development agencies to undertake special promotional programmes to ensure that County Cavan will obtain at an early date some of the welcome inward investment that is coming to this country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20012/97]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Miss Harney)

I intend to continue to actively implement the Government's policy of regional industrial development and job dispersal. This is now a primary industrial objective and, in this regard, IDA Ireland is making renewed efforts to encourage new inward investment in Cavan.

As part of these efforts, that agency has swapped several of its smaller sites and factory units in the county, which over time have not facilitated the attraction of inward investment, with Cavan County Council in return for approximately 40 acres of the council's landbank near Cavan town.

IDA Ireland has now undertaken a very comprehensive site development programme. This includes major site levelling works, the provision of a new access road network and ancillary works.

To further underline its commitment to refocus new inward investment in County Cavan, IDA Ireland has arranged for an advance factory of 23,000 square feet to be constructed by private investors, on the Cavan town site.

Planning permission has been granted by the local authority and construction of the new facility is expected to commence shortly, with completion anticipated by mid-1998. Promotion of the new advanced factory by IDA Ireland will commence as soon as construction of the facility gets under way.

IDA Ireland will continue to actively promote regional locations, including County Cavan, for new overseas investment.