Vol. 495 No. 7
72 Mr. Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the policy or role, if any, her Department has in directing State agencies to encourage industries to locate in economic or employment black spots; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21705/98]
My Department's policy in relation to industrial location is to encourage investors, via the industrial development agencies, to locate their investments in areas which need them taking account of the investors' own requirements. The locational aspects of industrial development require a strong co-operative approach between the industrial development agencies, the local authorities and infrastructure-service providers. For their part, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Shannon Development offer various incentives to accomplish this task including enhanced grant packages, particularly in designated areas; stimulating construction programmes of modern advance factories and business parks at key locations with private sector involvement; working closely with local authorities to make available quality serviced sites; and working with local communities and development agencies to improve their areas so that these areas are more competitive and attractive to potential investors and capable of competing strongly against similar European locations for possible investment opportunities.
The industrial development agencies participate, as appropriate, in various local initiatives such as special task forces, details of which are furnished in reply to a separate question by Deputy Creed on today's Order Paper.
