Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 24 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 6

Written Answers - Industrial Development.

Michael Finucane

Ceist:

95 Mr. Finucane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will respond specifically to Parliamentary Question No. 134 of 10 February 1998 in relation to a replacement industry in Newcastle West, County Limerick. [4953/98]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Miss Harney)

Since the closure in 1996 of Neodata's Newcastle West operation, IDA Ireland has been endeavouring, without success, to attract new industry to the town and has actively marketed these premises to potential overseas investors.

Neodata have advised IDA Ireland that negotiations are at an advanced stage with a purchaser for its premises in Newcastle West. The company expect to complete the transaction within the next month.

Pending finalisation of the negotiations. Neodata does not wish to reveal the name of the purchaser or the nature of the business in which they are involved. In the absence of such information, I am unable to give the Deputy the assurances he seeks in regard to the intended purpose of the purchaser for the premises.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

96 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in relation to her comments in Galway on 17 February 1998 to the effect that it is not possible to get high technology jobs in very rural areas, the way in which she expects the IDA to deliver job positions to the west and north west in general; her views on how this will impact on the efforts of Údarás na Gaeltachta to attract high technology jobs to rural areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4961/98]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Miss Harney)

Investment decisions made by the high technology sectors, including the information technology and communication sectors, will always be influenced by the availability of the necessary physical infrastructure together with skill requirements, particularly language skills for telemarketing.

It is one of my priority policy objectives, together with my Government colleagues, to ensure that the infrastructure and skills which are necessary to attract investment and jobs in those sectors become more widely available across the country, with a competitive cost structure which enables IDA Ireland to market locations such as the west and north west for teleservices business. I do not believe, therefore, that the comments to which the Deputy refers could in any sense be taken to have an undermining effect on the excellent efforts of Údarás na Gaeltachta in securing projects in these sectors, efforts which I strongly support.

IDA Ireland continues to pursue a policy of encouraging and facilitating the most equitable regional distribution of jobs throughout the country. The result of this proactive approach was reflected in 1997 in several announcements for areas outside the larger urban centres.

The figures for the west region for 1997 are encouraging in that they show an increase of 9.5 per cent on the previous years. While the corresponding figures for the north-west region are disappointing, IDA Ireland is firm in its commitment to attracting more investment to that region.

I assure the Deputy that both the west and the north-west areas will continue to be actively promoted during 1998.