Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 1

Written Answers. - Industrial Development.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

34 Mr. Callely asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the long-term strategies of her Department to provide and encourage enterprise and to develop enterprise in specific locations; the support of her Department in such geography development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16364/00]

My Department's strategies for the development and encouragement of enterprises focuses on the continued promotion of Ireland as an attractive location for foreign direct investment and on the further development of the indigenous sector. In 1999, IDA Ireland, in consultation with my Department, completed a fundamental review of its policies and activities. The three main priorities to be addressed by IDA Ireland in the years ahead under its new strategy are achieving significant industrial development in the Objective One regions; upgrading of the existing base of overseas companies to give them more sustainability and improve their value and quality; and beginning the real breakthrough in making Ireland an important e-business hub in Europe.

The strategy for the further development of the indigenous sector, which is implemented by Enterprise Ireland, aims to: increase the numbers of new fast track enterprises; get more companies exporting for the first time; increase the number of companies carrying out higher levels of research and development; drive up the numbers of companies with significant presence in overseas markets; increase investment in human resource development and facilitate the development of e-business projects.
This strategy involves a stepped approach to company development which includes a detailed analysis of a company's requirements against specific goals; determining the level of need for state support; and targeting funds towards providing solutions to the real needs of client companies rather than the administration of many and diverse programmes.
Financial supports to enterprise will also reflect EI's policy of switching the focus of support from capacity to capability building with a greater emphasis on human resource development skills and on research and development.
With regard to the development of enterprise in the regions, IDA Ireland aims to deliver half of all new green field jobs into the Objective One region in the coming years. Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland will differentiate levels of support to take account of the regional development needs of the country. Enterprise Ireland will also focus in the regions on improving the business environment, the further development of existing businesses, encouraging new start ups and identifying new business opportunities. These strategies underpin the approach to enterprise development in the National Development Plan 2000-2006.
Barr
Roinn