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Industrial Development

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 July 2013

Tuesday, 9 July 2013

Questions (260)

Robert Troy

Question:

260. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will outline the current efforts being made by his Department and other institutions to promote Longford as a region for enterprise; if he will provide some information regarding the resources and benefits Longford has to offer to potential investors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32867/13]

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Written answers

IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Longford County Enterprise Board are all working to promote enterprise development in County Longford. IDA Ireland is charged with the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Ireland and its regions while Enterprise Ireland has responsibility for the development and promotion of Ireland’s indigenous business sector. The role of the Longford County Enterprise Board is to provide a source of support for micro-enterprise in the start-up and expansion phases, to promote and develop indigenous micro enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level.

As Ireland competes for high quality investments, the concept of scale is crucial. Leading global corporations require a significant population, a pool of qualified talent, world standard physical and digital infrastructure coupled with the availability of sophisticated professional and business support services. Against this backdrop, IDA Ireland has informed me that it prioritises the marketing of Gateway locations within each Region as the areas of critical mass. Longford is marketed as part of the Midland Region together with Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Roscommon. In this region, IDA concentrates on the linked gateway of Athlone/Tullamore/ Mullingar. The Agency also promotes the towns of Longford, Portlaoise and Roscommon as part of its wider marketing efforts and in response to specific client requirements.

At present, there are 6 IDA Ireland client companies in Longford employing 632 people. IDA Ireland has strong relationships with these companies and works closely with them in order to ensure their long term sustainability and to encourage their growth, development, a broadening of their mandates and continuing re-investment in their sites.

In 2012, just over 1,557 people were employed on a full time basis in Enterprise Ireland client companies in County Longford. The Agency has informed me that, in 2012, five Innovation Vouchers were awarded to companies in Longford. This initiative, which links start-up companies with knowledge providers such as the local Institutes of Technology, continues to play an important role in supporting the development of new and existing limited smaller companies as well as strengthening ties and collaborations with the research community. There has been one call for Innovation Vouchers so far in 2013 under which two Longford companies have been awarded funding. The Innovation Voucher initiative is just one of several initiatives that the Agency is implementing to further develop and support the creation of jobs and growth in the Midlands Region, of which Longford is part.

Subject to certain eligibility criteria, Longford County Enterprise Board (CEB) supports individuals, firms and community groups provided that the proposed projects have the capacity to achieve commercial viability. This support can be in the form of financial and non-financial assistance to a project promoter. In 2012, Longford CEB provided over €250,000 in grant assistance to 31 projects and 585 people participated in Longford CEB assisted training courses. To date in 2013 Longford CEB has facilitated the establishment of a business forum group where local business persons meet to discuss proposals on how to further enhance County Longford’s business profile and promote the county as an investment location.

IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Longford CEB will continue to support enterprise development in Co Longford with a view to contributing to the achievement of the Government’s job creation targets outlined in the 2013 Action Plan for Jobs.

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