Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2005
332 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has proposals to create employment opportunities at a vacant IDA advance factory in Youghal, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3433/05]
View answerIDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment, FDI, to Ireland and its regions. While I may give general policy directives to the agency, I am precluded under the Acts from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others.
I understand the agency is actively marketing Youghal, including the vacant advance factory, for additional investment and jobs to potential overseas investors via its network of overseas offices and project divisions. In particular, they are targeting sectors such as pharmaceuticals, medical technologies, information and communications technologies and internationally traded services. Ultimately, decisions regarding where to locate a project, including what areas to visit as potential locations, are taken by investors.
I am confident the strategies and policies being pursued by IDA Ireland, together with the ongoing commitment of Government to regional development, will bear fruit in terms of additional sustainable investment and jobs for the people of east Cork.
