Vol. 504 No. 5
53 Mr. B. Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress, if any, to date in relation to the need to attract inward investment to County Cavan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12301/99]
In recent years, there has been a greater emphasis by the Government and the industrial development agencies on the regional dispersal of investment projects. The Border region is a particularly priority location for promotional purposes by IDA Ireland.
In order to encourage investment to the Cavan area, a 23,000 sq. ft. advance factory has been constructed on a site adjacent to Cavan town. This factory is now being actively promoted by the IDA to overseas mobile investors. There have been approximately 20 site visits to the facility in the period since its completion. Many of IDA Ireland's marketing staff, from both its European and US offices, have visited the facility.
IDA Ireland's focus on regionalisation in general and on Border counties in particular reflects the Government's commitment in this regard and ensures that maximum grant support will be made available to any appropriate project which may choose to locate in the area.
I recently met with a delegation from Cavan County Council, including Cavan Oireachtas members, to specifically address the need for inward investment to Cavan. Representatives from IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland attended this meeting also.
At the meeting, I emphasised the Government's desire to see substantial levels of increased investment into the Border area in general, and into Cavan in particular. I reiterated my commitment to ensuring that the agencies under my remit will remain closely focused on this.
