Promotion of Ireland and its regions as a location for foreign direct investment is an operational matter for IDA Ireland. I am aware that employment in IDA supported companies in Wexford decreased by 4.5% in 2002. The IDA continues to work closely with existing clients in the county to develop their mandate in Ireland and to win more value-added activities from their parent corporations. A number of client companies such as Lake Region, Equifax, Waters and PFPC are continuing to grow strongly and provide excellent references for potential investors.
IDA Ireland has developed an integrated marketing strategy for County Wexford with the objective of increasing the level of inward investment. The strategy includes a focused sectoral and geographical approach for new green field business, coupled with an added value focus for the existing base of overseas industry in the county. It will also include a comprehensive upgrading of IDA Ireland owned land in the county and the provision of new modern facilities to cater for the emerging sectors.
IDA Ireland will work towards addressing the various impediments to new inward investment identified in the Wexford Initiative Committee Report, namely, support infrastructure, particularly telecommunications, and skills availability. The IDA will equally continue to be represented on the Wexford Education Initiative and the Wexford Enterprise Initiative as well as the Wexford County Development Board.
The right property solutions are critical to the requirements of new overseas industry and IDA Ireland is currently developing a comprehensive land and buildings programme for the 70 acre IDA Business Park at Drinagh on the Rosslare Road. This will include the incorporation of a 20 acre office park, which will specifically cater for the new emerging internationally traded sectors currently being targeted for the town. Planning permission has been sought for the construction of an advance technology building and an advance office building in the park. PFPC, a financial services company, commenced operation in early 2002 on the Drinagh Business Park, and is continuing to expand.
In New Ross, the IDA has upgraded the ten acre site at Butlersland to business class standard. Construction of a 27,000 sq. ft high quality advance manufacturing facility was completed recently and is being actively promoted for overseas investment.
Additional informationThe IDA is also promoting the 80,000 square foot space available in the Hartmann facility in conjunction with the owners. In Enniscorthy, the IDA has upgraded the five acre IDA industrial site on the Dublin Road to business park standard. A local community based group has recently completed construction of a 20,000 square foot advance technology building which is now being actively marketed by IDA Ireland to overseas clients.
I am confident the strategies and policies being pursued by the IDA in County Wexford, together with the ongoing commitment of Government to regional development, will bear fruit in terms of attracting additional sustainable overseas investment to County Wexford.