Vol. 556 No. 3
117 Mr. J. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she will visit County Clare to review the number of factories which have closed in Shannon and Ennis and announce the plans she has for replacements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19730/02]
The IDA is actively marketing Ennis as a location for foreign direct investment, particularly focusing on the software development and e-business sectors, and is working to consolidate and add more value to the businesses currently located there. Shannon Development is developing a 35 acre information age park in Ennis which will provide a new focus for industrial development in County Clare and, in particular, for Ennis. The park will offer the potential investor a world class business accommodation and infrastructure. This is a major initiative for the region and will be the key focus of Shannon Development's promotional and development activities in the area. The tech nology park will adjoin a 32 acre site, which Clare County Council proposes to develop as a centre for local government. With its high quality business environment, the new park will provide an ideal investment location for knowledge based activity across a broad spectrum of enterprise, including foreign direct investment, indigenous investment and business start-up incubation.
The State development agencies are also actively involved in the Ennis industry group which is promoting industrial development in the area. The full range of FÁS support services is provided to workers affected by redundancies in the area. Tellabs announced in September that its large Shannon plant will close by the end of 2002. Shannon Development is working closely with Tellabs and other State agencies and companies with a view to finding alternative employment for the workers affected. I am looking forward to visiting County Clare at the end of this month.
