Regional development is a significant focus of Government policy. Its importance has been confirmed in the current national development plan and the national spatial strategy, NSS. The latter strategy addresses the ongoing concentration of population and economic activity along the eastern seaboard, especially in the greater Dublin area, with a view to achieving balanced regional development throughout the country.
The objective of the State development agencies has been to encourage the design of a strategy that will enable as many areas as possible to share in balanced regional development. The key determinants of sustained economic performance at both national and regional levels that require development through the NSS include a critical mass of innovative, high value-added enterprises across a range of technology intensive sectors; networked regional gateways and hubs; a well developed educational system and a skilled workforce; high quality physical infrastructure including a modern broadband telecommunications network; an adequate supply of housing and a high quality and sustainable environment. The State development agencies will work to ensure that the key centres under the NSS play a critical role in the promotion of balanced regional development. However, the effectiveness of their strategies will be strongly influenced by a supportive business environment in the regions.
The south-east region has been successful in attracting a number of modern industries. The most notable have been Genzyme with its biotechnology facility in Waterford, Alza/Johnson & Johnson, a pharmaceutical project in Cashel, as well as PFPC in Wexford and Deutsche Bank in Kilkenny. In addition to these new substantial investments, there has been a number of notable expansions in the region from companies such as Guidant in Clonmel, AOL and Sunlife in Waterford and Lake Region in New Ross.