Vol. 544 No. 3
186 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her plans to change the policy of the IDA which states that 50% of all new industrial jobs will be provided in the Border midland west region. [29036/01]
I have no plans to change the policy for IDA Ireland which now targets the provision of 50% of all new greenfield jobs in the BMW region. Despite the current economic downturn IDA will continue to pursue that strategy in the Objective One region which includes the Border, midlands and west region. This involves doubling the proportion of greenfield jobs negotiated for these regions.
In an effort to ensure that the objective will be achieved, IDA Ireland initially reorganised its internal structures. This restructuring included allocation of additional staff to its regional offices, opening new regional offices in Cavan and Limerick and allocation of regional responsibilities to key executives in its headquarters project divisions.
On 1 September 2001 additional posts were transferred to Athlone, which comprises staff from regions, property and healthcare divisions bringing the staff complement up to 30. In January 2002 additional posts will be transferred to Sligo comprising staff from international services and consumer products divisions bringing the staff complement up to 15. In mid-2002 additional posts will be transferred to Waterford comprising of staff from information and communications technologies and engineering.
The purpose of these moves is to drive growth from within the regions and to develop these centres as magnets for growth for these regions. Other initiatives include putting a greater focus on marketing of the regions for specific sectors and improvement of marketing material for the regions.
IDA Ireland's incentive package is also strongly geared in favour of Objective One regions which is in line with the new EU State aid limits.
In the Objective One regions IDA has acquired a number of additional sites and also upgraded many of its sites to business park standard. Furthermore it has arranged, in partnership with private developers, to provide advance factories and advance offices in a number of key locations.
