Vol. 557 No. 4
138 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on whether a vacant premises (details supplied) in Milford, County Donegal, can be used as incubation units to develop and foster rural indigenous industry in the said area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22305/02]
The building in question was purpose built for the manufacture of T-shirts and sweatshirts. Over the past two years, the building has been marketed by the IDA as a location for new inward investment. A number of companies have expressed serious interest, but as yet no project has been secured for the building. The IDA continues to promote the building in conjunction with the owners, Fruit of the Loom. The issue of sub-division has as yet not been seriously considered as any such sub-division would require either a private developer or a local enterprise company to purchase the building and carry out the necessary sub-division. This sub-division would be required to meet current building regulations which could require significant finance. A further factor which may restrict the site's potential for incubation units is its size, c. 64,000 sq. ft, which would require that there was sufficient demand for this amount of space if it were to be developed into incubation units.
