I propose to take Questions Nos. 344 and 345 together.
The most recent regional employment data, from the Central Statistics Office shows that in the 12 months up to the end of September 2013 an additional 10,000 people were in employment in the South East region, including Waterford, and that the unemployment rate there fell by 2.8% during that period. This is a very positive development, representing a welcome improvement in numbers at work in the region and reflects the success of Government policies, especially the Acton Plan for Jobs and various initiatives to enhance competitiveness and create a positive environment for growth and jobs.
In the 5 year period 2009 to 2013 inclusive there have been a total of 70 IDA sponsored site visits by potential investors to Waterford. Details of the number of site visits in each of the years in question are set out in the attached tabular statement (Table A).
Details of the numbers of jobs gained and lost in IDA client companies in each of the years 2009 to 2013 are set out in the attached tabular statement (Table B).
I am informed by IDA that the proposed new advanced building facility, which the Agency is funding in Waterford will be 2,348 sq.metres and will be located that the IDA Technology Park, at Butlerstown on the Cork Road in Waterford. The building design has taken account of the flexibility requirement of potential end users by creating front of house open plan office area with open plan production area to the rear offers flexibility for large scale open plan use or again the potential to subdivide or introduce cellular spaces. I understand that the procurement process is ongoing with an expected outcome within the next month.
I should also like to say that during 2013 there were two significant IDA Investment announcements for Waterford. In February, Sanofi announced plans to invest €44m in Genzyme’s biotechnology campus in Waterford. This investment will increase the site’s diversity of products and comes on top of a €150m investment a little more than a year previously. The investment ensures that the Waterford facility, which currently employs approximately 500 people, can produce the company’s latest products and provides an indication of the Waterford site’s value to the company. In March, Nypro Healthcare announced plans to establish an additional state of the art medical devices facility in Waterford. This will result in the creation of over 200 new high quality jobs in the coming years.
TABLE A
Table showing the number of IDA sponsored site visits by potential investors to Waterford in each of the years 2009 to 2013, inclusive
|
County
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
|
Waterford
|
8
|
11
|
11
|
26
|
14
|
TABLE B
Table showing the number of jobs gained and lost in IDA Ireland client companies in each of the years 2009 to 2013, inclusive
|
County
|
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
|
Waterford
|
New Jobs Created (Gross Gains)
|
166
|
246
|
144
|
117
|
172
|
|
Waterford
|
Gross Losses
|
-635
|
-455
|
-1,066
|
-284
|
-120
|
