asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism, if the IDA have a current five year plan 1983-1987; if not, the reasons for it; whether there are any specific job targets for each region during this period; if so what they are; and the progress in achieving them to date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - IDA Job Targets.
18.
The Industrial Development Authority do not have a current five year regional industrial plan but such a plan is being drawn up at present. This plan will have regard to the White Paper on Industrial Policy which I will be publishing within the next month.
Is the Minister saying that no such plan exists at present?
The IDA do not have a current five year regional industrial plan but such a plan is being drawn up at present.
Does the Minister accept that a regional plan for the next few years has been in existence since November 1982? Why has it not seen the light of day? Surely in the middle of 1984 the regional authorities are entitled to know exactly what their objectives should be for the next four or five years.
That plan relates to overall targets. We are discussing a regional plan. The IDA's plans in this area are being integrated into the Government's White Paper on Industrial Policy in accordance with the views expressed by a number of observers that it was important that policy and planning in this area should be made by the Government and that the IDA should execute Government policy rather than make policy for the Government, as was the case in the past.
I agree with what the Minister said in relation to industrial policy. The Government should formulate it and the IDA should carry it out. There is in existence objectives for regional development for all IDA regions. How does the Minister expect the IDA to have an overall national plan without a feedback from the various regions? When will they be told? The last plan expired a long time ago. Surely they are entitled to know where they are going.
I am strongly committed to the idea of increased regionalisation of the IDA's activities. As the Deputy knows, I have sanctioned the regional industrial board for the Cork area. I intend that this process should continue and that there would be further regionalisation. I accept there should be job targets in respect of the regions. The important thing is not so much whether one region gets jobs or another region does so but rather that our overall industrial performance improves.
Will regional targets be set?
The IDA are preparing a five year regional plan. That will not be published until after the publication of the White Paper. I have not yet reviewed that plan. The White Paper will be the first step in the process. One would need to assess how best to translate the overall policy into regional execution.
The regions have been without a plan for the last year and a half.