Industrial Development.

Mr. T. Hayes

I thank the Minister for responding to this matter on the Adjournment. The need to establish a task force for Tipperary town, in view of the lack of industrial development there, has been brought to my attention, and that of others, over a number of years. Tipperary is an historic town but it has suffered many job losses over a long period. Some years ago, the Tamberan plant closed with the loss of 350 jobs. Many other plants, including 7-UP and Kiely's Bakery, were also affected.

There have been a number of initiatives to establish factories, particularly the Pall Corporation and the Tipperary Co-op, which are progressing well. However, Tipperary town has a decreasing population at a time when other areas in the county are expanding due to the Celtic tiger. There is an urgent need for an advance factory to be built, but that message is not getting through to the proper authorities. That is why I am asking for some agency to be established to assess the problem initially and then to set out the required solutions.

Tipperary town has a huge amount of pride and on a community basis it has established what many other areas have not. It has one of the most successful recreation centres in the country, the Canon Hayes centre. In co-operation with south Tipperary County Council it has added a swimming pool which has been named after Mr. Seán Treacy. Many other community initiatives have taken place there. If Tipperary town got some support it would benefit more from the economic growth that is taking place in other areas. I would like to hear the Minister's response on this matter.

Mr. T. Kitt

I share the Senator's concern about the need to promote greater industrial development in Tipperary town which, unfortunately, experienced job losses in recent years in a number of foreign-owned and indigenous enterprises. This impacted adversely on the economic and social life of the area but, despite these job losses, significant progress has been made in generating new jobs in the Tipperary town area. This progress has been facilitated by strong community participation.

In particular, I refer to IDA Ireland's attraction of overseas companies, such as Pall Corporation and Continental Promotions, which are providing valuable employment in Tipperary. IDA Ireland is working closely with the new owners of the former Namco factory with a view to attracting a new project and is also promoting industrial sites for projects. A further priority for the agency is the provision of an advance factory for Tipperary town and this matter is being pursued in line with the recommendation of the Seagate Task Force report.

Enterprise Ireland is also participating strongly in promoting industrial development in Tipperary town, including, for example, financial assistance for the enterprise centre, and for Tipperary Mushrooms, a joint venture between Tipperary Co-operative Creameries and Monaghan Mushrooms, to develop the mushroom industry in the area. This latter project is expected to create 100 jobs over the next three years, with further substantial employment in the mushroom growing sector.

The South Tipperary County Enterprise Board, in co-operation with local development interests, has also had considerable success in promoting the establishment and expansion of enterprises and training-management development programmes in the Tipperary town area. There have been 17 new start-up projects in the past five years. The establishment of the community enterprise centre, including the provision of incubation units and a training centre for teleworking, and the provision of additional tourist accommodation, have also been important local initiatives in generating employment opportunities.

The proposed high-tech IT enterprise centre in the town, which is being promoted by the West Tipperary Enterprise Development Association and is being financially supported by a number of State agencies, including the county enterprise board and Enterprise Ireland, should be of considerable benefit to the area.

FÁS has also played a significant role in addressing the training and retraining needs of workers in the area and in the promotion of community-based projects.

The Government is committed to ensuring the most equitable distribution of job opportunities and balanced regional development. This is undertaken in a way which develops the resources and potential of each region. The development agencies are focused on achieving this aim through their regional development strategies and have deployed additional resources at regional level with a view to achieving a better distribution of industrial investment in the regions.

Co-operation between the agencies and local development and other interest groups in promoting job creation continues to impact positively on Tipperary town. The agencies work closely with the South Tipperary County Development Board and South Tipperary County Council, as well as other local interests, to facilitate an integrated development approach and promote a favourable environment for business in the area. In these circumstances and given the focused agency approach in co-operation with local development interests and the progress to date, I do not consider it necessary to establish a specific task force for industrial development for Tipperary town. I am confident that the combined efforts of the State agencies and local interests will result in the continued social and economic development of the area. Clearly, in such circumstances – similar circumstances arose before – we will, of course, review developments over the coming months to assess the requirements of the area.

The Seanad adjourned at 11.05 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 22 March 2001.

Seanad Éireann debate - Wednesday, 21 Mar 2001