Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Feb 2000

Vol. 514 No. 3

Written Answers. - Job Creation.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

77 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress, if any, which has been made to regionalise job creation opportunities with reference to the IDA land and its quest for land banks in the Inishowen region of County Donegal in view of Government policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3998/00]

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

The attraction of industry to particular counties is a day to day matter for the industrial development agencies and not one in which I have a direct function.

The availability of suitable landbanks is essential to the attraction of industry to the regions. IDA Ireland is exploring a number of property options in Buncrana and discussions are ongoing in respect of these. IDA Ireland continues to promote all property in Inishowen and the wider Donegal area for suitable overseas-indigenous investment projects.

The Government is committed to ensuring the most equitable distribution of job opportunities. The development agencies are now strongly focused on achieving this aim and resources are being deployed to reflect this focus.

IDA Ireland has carried out an extensive analysis to determine the needs of the different regions and to identify the industrial sectors most likely to deliver quality jobs. The main aim of the agency's activity is to try to increase the share of new greenfield projects locating in the regions to achieve greater regional impact.

However, it is not merely a question of jobs dispersal, the agency is seeking to bring a better mix of industry sectors and higher value industries to locations around the country, in particular, to locations that have not seen the emergence of the modern industries. The agency's new strategy also addresses the need to increase the value and sustainability of overseas companies already established or about to establish in Ireland.

I am confident the Donegal region will benefit from the new regional focus of IDA Ireland.