Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 4

Written Answers. - Job Creation.

Ulick Burke

Question:

58 Mr. U. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs created through her Department with the IDA assistance in Galway east during each of the past four years; the corresponding job losses in towns (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6942/02]

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

IDA employment data is only available on a county basis. The following table shows the jobs created and lost in IDA-supported companies in Galway in the years from 1997 to 2001, inclusive. Figures for 2001 are as yet preliminary.

	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001
Number of companies	45	46	48	52	51
Permanent employment	7,275	7,804	7,922	9,322	9,156
Gross gains (new jobs)	1,334	673	465	1,768	553
Job losses	205	144	347	368	719

IDA Ireland fully recognises and is committed to ensuring that the process of balanced regional dispersal is achieved in the west and in this respect the agency's priorities for the region which includes east County Galway are the pursuit of a more balanced regional spread of new overseas investments to secure significant industrial developments in this Objective One area and to confirm the process of upgrading the existing base of overseas companies in order to enhance their sustainability and improve their quality and value.

Specifically in east County Galway since 1997, IDA Ireland has acquired 35 acres of land at Creagh on the east side of Ballinasloe for development as a new business park. Development work has now been completed on the park. IDA has worked with a local group of developers who have recently completed construction of a new 27,800 sq. ft. advance unit on the new park; been successful in attracting Valois, a French engineering company, to establish a manufacturing operation in Ballinasloe. The company is initially commencing operations in a temporary facility while it is working with its property advisers to design and develop a new customised facility in the IDA's new business park at Creagh. The company will employ 60 people at full production and recruitment is actively underway at present; been actively involved in the inter-agency group which I set up following the announcement by AT Cross of its intention to close its operation at Ballinasloe to help retain the maximum number of jobs in Ballinasloe and to promote the area for new projects. A high-quality promotional brochure has now been completed and will highlight the strengths and attractiveness of Ballinasloe and environs as a location for investment. The final report for the above task-force was forwarded to me in November 2001; and has acquired a 32-acre business park on the Dunmore Road in Tuam. Site development works are in progress at present; is actively marketing its 25,000 sq. ft. advance factory in Gort.

I wish to assure the Deputy that the Government remains committed to the most equitable regional distribution of job opportunities throughout the country and will continue to impress this on the industrial development agencies.