Vol. 363 No. 10
asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he is aware of the need for an enterprise centre in the Ballybrack area of Country Dublin; and if he will now conduct an investigation urgently to test the feasibility of such a project.
18.
asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he is aware of a number of buildings suitable and available as an enterprise centre in the Sallynoggin area, County Dublin; and if he will conduct an inquiry or study as to the feasibility of such a project.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 18 together. I am informed by the Industrial Development Authority, who are statutorily responsible for the implementation of industrial policy in this general area, that they will support community-led initiatives in the provision of enterprise centres, but only where there is a planned and co-ordinated approach from the local community. In this context a working agreement has been concluded between the IDA and the Youth Employment Agency whereby the agency will take the lead role in community initiatives, and manufacturing or international service proposals arising from these initiatives will be referred to the IDA.
I understand that the IDA have no plans at present to provide an enterprise centre in either Ballybrack or Sallynoggin. Moreover the IDA have not examined buildings in the Sallynoggin area with a view to ascertaining their suitability or availability as an enterprise centre. I would point out, however, that since mid-1985 a seperate team within IDA's small industry division have been given special responsibility for the fostering of small industry in south Dublin which includes both of the areas referred to by the Deputy.
The Minister said that the IDA have had a small industries division since mid-1985, but did they examine the possibility of enterprise centres in the Ballybrack, Sallynoggin and South County Dublin areas generally? Have they performed the functions the Minister has just read into the record?
As I said, the IDA have no plans at present to provide an enterprise centre in either Ballybrack or Sallynoggin, nor have they examined buildings in the Sallynoggin area. I also said that the separate team within the IDA's small industry division have been given special responsibility for the fostering of small industry in South Dublin.
What is the result of their fostering small industries in South County Dublin?
The special team within the IDA's small industries division will give their full attention to the south Dublin area, and will liaise, where necessary, with the Youth Employment Agency. In 1985 the IDA approved a total of 28 small industrial projects for the Dublin South area and they have developed a major new business park on a 70 acre site at Leopardstown. Further, a leading US softwear manufacturer, Microsoft, have moved into the Sandyford Industrial Estate. Another US firm, Emerald City Productions, hope to employ 50 people in the production of animated programmes at Harbour Place, Dún Laoghaire. On Sallynoggin Road itself, Martincabs (International) Limited were approved, with IDA assistance, to manufacture cabs for forklift trucks. The company called Trio-tech (International) have set up an electronic components test centre in Deansgrange, and Ericcson have established a new software development and training operation in Glasthule involving a £1.3 million investment. I think that is a fair commitment to the south Dublin region.
How many people have been employed under these miraculous projects, by these bodies which were set up to do something which they did not do? Is the Minister aware that my questions were directed at the Ballybrack and Sallynoggin areas? The Stillorgan Industrial Estate, happily, is and has been a success but that has nothing to do with my question. Is the Minister aware that there are many young people unemployed in the Ballybrack and Sallynoggin areas? What action does he intend taking to reduce the unemployment level there? It is not good enough for the Minister to trot out this type of information, which is very important and which is now on the record of the House, but he is avoiding answering my question. I am concerned about young people in the Sallynoggin and Ballybrack areas.
The Deputy must confine himself to a question. He is making a long statement.
There is a very simple answer to my question. It is yes, or no?
I have answered the question.
The Minister has not answered my question.
I have stated quite clearly that the IDA have no plans at present to provide an enterprise centre in either Sallynoggin or Ballybrack.
Or at any time.
I am aware of the unemployment level in the region but one must understand that Dublin South is comprised not only of Ballybrack or Sallynoggin, and that the IDA initiatives in bringing new industries to the area have been successful. I would refute any contention that either the IDA or the Youth Employment Agency are not working to their utmost to provide employment in that area.
This is the point——
I am not allowing speech after speech and I want to make that clear. If the Deputy has a short question, he may ask it.
Why is the Minister avoiding my question? What does he intend doing for the young people of Ballybrack and Sallynoggin? I accept that those areas are not necessarily representative of all south County Dublin but I am here to represent the people of Ballybrack and Sallynoggin and will do so. Will the Minister please answer my question? Is it not the case that there are no plans or hope for the people of those areas so long as you continue to exist as a Government?
I am sorry the Deputy is worried about my existence.
I do not mean it personally.
At present the IDA have no plans to provide enterprise centres in Ballybrack or Sallynoggin. They will continue to work with the Youth Employment agency, seeking community-led initiatives. There is a special team within the IDA's small industries division who have been given special responsibility for fostering small industries in the south Dublin area. That will include the two areas referred to by the Deputy.
The Minister of State could have answered no to the two questions. It would have been more accurate.
