Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Jun 2001

Vol. 538 No. 3

Written Answers. - Industrial Development.

Enda Kenny

Question:

109 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on whether regional Ireland has all the necessary infrastructure to cater for business expansion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17830/01]

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

Chapter 3 of the national development plan recognises that the rapid pace of economic growth, the pattern of development and increasing urbanisation and centralisation of economic activity have raised issues in relation, inter alia, to infrastructural provision in facilitating and promoting development at regional and national level. In acknowledging these difficulties, the Government set out in the NDP how it proposes to achieve more balanced regional development in order to reduce the disparities between and within the regions and to develop the potential of both to contribute to the greatest possible extent to the continuing prosperity of the country.

A prerequisite for implementation of Government policy is the achievement of the macro-economic objectives on which the plan is based so that the necessary resources for investment can be made available. It will also require an integrated and flexible approach to the development and implementation of sectoral policies and co-ordinated investment in areas such as transport, education and housing.

The national development plan provides for a total investment of some £24 billion in infrastructure through the Economic and Social Infrastructure Operational Programme. On a per capita basis, the investment involved will amount to £7,658 in the BMW region and £6,566 in the southern and eastern region. This planned investment in infrastructure is the largest ever undertaken by the State and represents an average annual increase of 55% over 1999 levels, demonstrating the Government's proactive approach and commitment to upgrading the country's infrastructure.

The national spatial strategy currently being prepared by the Department of the Environment and Local Government, to be finalised by end 2001, will address the promotion of more balanced regional development on a broader basis, with due regard to improving quality of life, maintaining and enhancing our natural and cultural heritage and sustaining economic development. The spatial strategy will provide a framework within which future decisions on public investment, including investment in infrastructure, can be made in the context of the measures needed to achieve more balanced regional development.

The agencies under the remit of my Department are actively engaged in facilitating the development of the national spatial strategy, and are inputting into the policy papers being prepared in that respect in terms of infrastructure expenditure and regionalisation of industry. Indeed, both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland have recently announced enhanced regional strategies which will lead to an increased focus on the needs of the regions.