Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:40 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps, if any, which are being taken to encourage international investment and jobs in the remote regions of our country. [21985/97]
Written Answers. - Regional Employment.
Dinny McGinley
Ceist:45 Mr. McGinley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposals, if any, she has to ensure greater regional spread of new employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22083/97]
Michael Ring
Ceist:50 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposals, if any, she has to ensure greater regional spread of new employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22082/97]
Paul McGrath
Ceist:57 Mr. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposals, if any, she has to ensure greater regional spread of new employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22084/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 40, 45, 50 and 57 together.
I am fully conscious of the need to ensure the most equitable regional distribution of job opportunities. In this respect, I have spoken to the chief executive officers of both IDA Ireland and Forbairt. I have impressed on them the crucial importance which this Government attaches to making even greater efforts to provide employment throughout the country. I am satisfied that this message is fully understood and that the industrial development agencies involved are doing all they can to realise a more balanced regional distribution of jobs.
The IDA and Forbairt are structured on a regional basis. In addition, the achievement of a better regional redistribution of jobs across the country requires a strong co-operative approach between the industrial development agencies, the local authorities and infrastructure/service providers, including those of skills training.
For its part, IDA Ireland is encouraging visiting companies to look at many locations across the country before making decisions on location and is favouring locations outside the larger urban centres in every way possible, including the higher grant levels as appropriate; with the involvement of private sector investors, stimulating and supporting a major programme of modern advance factory construction at key locations; working closely with local authorities to have quality sites available at priority locations for new industrial investment.