asked the Minister for Industry and Energy if he will outline the IDA's proposal to provide a new industry in Tralee, County Kerry, in view of the massive loss of industrial jobs in the town over the past 16 months.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers - Tralee (Kerry) New Industry.
5.
I share the Deputy's concern at the recent level of job losses in manufacturing industry in Tralee. I would point out, however, that the Industrial Development Authority have secured a number of major industrial projects for the town such as Borg Warner, Burlington, Shop Vac Limited, Wabco Westinghouse Limited, and Jasan Products Limited, all of which are now well established and provide employment for over 900 people at present. A number of jobs have yet to be provided from projects approved by the IDA over the last few years.
The IDA have over 28 acres of industrial land in Tralee, which together with the 24,000 sq. ft. advance factory and 3,300 sq. ft. cluster unit, are being promoted for suitable industrial projects. In addition, the IDA have purchased 15 acres for the development of an office park, which will be promoted under the International Services Programme.
In view of the serious situation in Tralee, would the Minister encourage the IDA to give Tralee special attention?
I assure the Deputy that the needs of Tralee are being constantly cared for at Government level.
There is a very big imbalance between Cork and Kerry with regard to the injection of funds.
I would not wish to comment on that. The Deputy will appreciate that the IDA seek to promote all parts of the country equally, with the exception of those priority areas identified from time to time when there has been a particular closure. While I do not have to hand figures which compare grant levels in Kerry as against Cork, it is not really helpful to draw invidious comparisons between one county and another.
I would be satisfied if the Minister would investigate the imbalance between Cork and Kerry.
I will investigate the Deputy's allegation that there is an imbalance.
The Minister made reference to an office block. Perhaps we could have some more information about that.
I said that the IDA have purchased 15 acres for the development of an office park which will be promoted under the International Services Programme. As the Deputy is no doubt aware, this is one of the newer initiatives in the IDA programme in which they are concerned to attracting service industry as distinct from the traditional manufacturing operation and Tralee is one of the areas where this will occur particularly.
I am sure the Minister must be very well aware that a very important industry in Tralee closed down about two weeks ago with the loss of 295 jobs. I appeal to him to contact the IDA and ask them to direct their attention to Tralee where there is much need for industry and jobs.
I understand that the matter to which the Deputy has now referred was the subject of an Adjournment Debate during which the Minister of State dealt extensively with the points now being made by the Deputy.
May I ask the Minister——
We have spent some time on this question.
I am only seeking information on this important matter. I am not being contentious or argumentative.
The Deputy hardly ever is.
I share the concern of my two colleagues for the town of Tralee. Perhaps the Minister would give us some more information about the office park. I am aware of the general concept but I would appreciate a little more information on this project, such as the size and whether it is intended for commercial purposes. Is there any prospect of the decentralisation of some of the public services to Tralee by this means?
The Deputy will be aware of the scope of the services programme identified under the legislation whereby the IDA were given authority to depart from traditional industry into the services area. There is a specific list of activities which are considered to be appropriate for promotion by the IDA. It does not allow them to get into all forms of services, merely a specified list which would be considered to have an export potential. It is desirable that the IDA should not become involved in promoting services directly in competition with services domestically provided otherwise. They must be services with an export potential and this limits the number of services in which they can become involved. I have not available at present the comprehensive list of those services as defined under the Act and I am speaking entirely from recollection. I will make the list available to the Deputy. I also propose to make available to him by letter, if this is satisfactory, a detailed statement in so far as it is available as to precisely what the IDA intend to do in the services park. I would agree with any suggestion that this should be more widely discussed because it is a new development and is, in a sense, a pioneering venture. I would hope to provide him with information which may provide scope for a further question.