Vol. 487 No. 4
18 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposals, if any, she has to encourage foreign investors to set up in neglected investment areas in counties Cavan, Monaghan, Roscommon and Longford. [4103/98]
25 Mr. U. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of inquiries, if any, made to each body under the aegis of her Department wishing to locate an industrial project in Loughrea and Ballinasloe in County Galway; the facilities at these centres owned by these bodies; if it is her intention to direct these bodies to encourage new industries to these areas in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4157/98]
55 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will give details of the industrial promotion of the constituency of south-west Cork in 1997, particularly in relation to industrial projects announced; the jobs potential, if any, from these announcements; the number of first time site visits by overseas companies; the number of return site visits by them; if she has satisfied herself with the industrial promotion of the area; and, if not, the steps, if any, she proposes for improvement. [4188/98]
69 Mr. U. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, further to the IDA report for 1997, the co-operation, if any, which will take place between her Department and the IDA, Forbairt and county enterprise boards to ensure the spread of new jobs throughout east Galway and outside Galway city and the Gaeltacht areas in 1998; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4158/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 25, 55 and 69 together.
I am fully conscious of the need to ensure the most equitable regional distribution of job opportunities. Within a week of taking office I spoke to the chief executive officers of both IDA Ireland and Forbairt. I 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.
I am satisfied that the present special focus on regionalisation is impacting on the spread of jobs. Since this Government came into office I announced industrial investments outside of Dublin which will lead to the creation of over 11,000 jobs.
I am committed to ensuring that there is a greater number of jobs created in regions outside Dublin than in the past.
