Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 26 Mar 1998

Vol. 489 No. 2

Written Answers. - Industrial Development.

Brendan Smith

Question:

70 Mr. B. Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action, if any, that will be taken by her Department and the State agencies under the aegis of her Department to ensure that counties, identified in the report by the National Economic and Social Council, Population Distribution and Economic Development - Trends and Policy Implications, as not benefiting adequately from recent economic development, should be given priority in relation to the attraction of inward investment; if her attention has been drawn to the urgent need to create employment in these areas as job opportunities are needed to stem population decline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7612/98]

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

The NESC report to which the Deputy refers provides a useful contribution to policy debate in respect of the most effective possible regional distribution of economic advantage.

I am fully conscious of the need to ensure the most equitable regional distribution of job opportunities. I have impressed on the chief executive officers of both IDA Ireland and Forbairt the crucial importance which this Government attaches to making even greater efforts to support employment creation throughout the country. I am satisfied that this message is fully understood and that the industrial development agencies involved are doing all that they can to realise a more balanced regional distribution of jobs. This is evidenced by the fact that some 12,500 of the more than 15,000 or so jobs announced by this Government since taking up office have been located outside Dublin.

I have asked the agencies under the aegis of my Department to take account of the conclusions in the NESC report to which the Deputy refers, with a view to achieving an equitable regional distribution of new jobs and employment opportunities.