Vol. 563 No. 4
144 Mr. Deenihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the efforts being made by the IDA to get an industry for the advance factory in Listowel, County Kerry, in view of the fact that three major industries (details supplied) have closed in the town over the past five years together with several small enterprises; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8029/03]
The issue of attracting foreign direct investment, FDI, to individual areas and towns is statutorily charged to IDA Ireland. In relation to the agency's strategy for north Kerry, IDA Ireland is focusing on pro moting the area as a location for investment in international services type projects.
Ireland's recent economic success has changed its profile as a location for investment and we are now competing for a different type of business to that which we were so successful in attracting over the past four decades. Basic operative skills are now available at lower cost throughout the developing world. Improving communications facilitate businesses to locate parts of their value chains in distant locations. That is not to say that Ireland does not have a future in manufacturing; it does, but it will be through more advanced, sophisticated and complex processes based on knowledge and skills.
IDA Ireland believes that regions need magnets of attraction, some compelling business reason or unique selling proposition that will attract investors. The challenge of achieving high value FDI into regional locations is considerable; nevertheless, progress is being made. In the case of north Kerry, Tralee has been designated a hub under the Government's national spatial strategy. Each region needs a hub of attraction, a location with the investment in world class infrastructure and services to be a magnet for the whole region. Around that hub, for approximately 40-50 kms. in every direction, the region can grow through attracting a wide range of enterprises, both local and international, which emerge because of the integrated competitive strengths of that region.
In this regard, IDA Ireland has designated Listowel as a priority town in the mid-west region and the agency is committed to securing a new project for the town. The agency is aiming to attract a project from a complete range of IDA Ireland target sectors in either manufacturing or internationally traded services. Since its inception, IDA Ireland has been actively marketing the BES building in Listowel through its property division and its network of overseas offices. There have been a number of visits by overseas companies to the building, as well as viewings by members of the agency's international services division, who have also met with the promoters of the building. While these efforts have not yet resulted in the securing of a suitable inward investment project, IDA Ireland is continuing to actively market the BES facility and Listowel to potential clients. However, it is the client who makes the final decision on where any project will locate.
