Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Oct 1998

Vol. 494 No. 4

Written Answers. - Industrial Development.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

123 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the provision of an industrial project for the vacant Pretty Polly site in Killarney, County Kerry; if a project is still being negotiated for Killarney; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18663/98]

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

The position in relation to the Pretty Polly site in Killarney is that IDA Ireland was in discussions for some time with a US company which had shown a strong interest in the site. However, the company has since decided to locate its project elewhere.

IDA Ireland has, however, been successful in securing another project for Killarney — the US company, Rosenbluth International. Rosenbluth announced its intention to open an advanced reservation call centre — IntelliCentre — which will create 250 new jobs in Killarney when fully developed. Rosenbluth is currently using a portion of the Pretty Polly building as temporary accommodation. The company is planning to convert the former Kerry Glass building with a view to taking up occupancy. I understand that Rosenbluth has recruited its first 30 employees and training has now commenced.

The attraction of this prestigious call centre for Killarney continues the regional dispersal trend for teleservices projects and provides job opportunities and new skills for young people in Killarney and the surrounding area.

I assure the Deputy that IDA Ireland continues to prioritise and highlight the Pretty Polly facility to mobile overseas investors and there have been a number of site visits to the facility to date in 1998.