Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Feb 2002

Vol. 547 No. 3

Written Answers. - Manufacturing and Services Industry.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

140 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which she has monitored the relocation of jobs in both the manufacturing and service areas to low wage economies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3624/02]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms. Harney)

My Department and its agencies are continuously monitoring the position of firms in both the manufacturing and services sectors to identify opportunities and threats to employment. There is no evidence available to suggest any increasing tendency for firms to relocate to lower wage economies. The reasons for such relocation are many, varied and complex, and on balance Ireland continues to benefit from such movement due to the underlying strength of our economy despite the recent world downturn.

The quality and sustainability of the jobs we create is a particular focus for the future. In order to maximise the potential of our existing base of overseas companies and to minimise job losses, IDA Ireland is encouraging them to add strategic functions including research and development, technical support, software development, e-commerce, logistics, and shared services. In this way, such firms can move up the value chain and become more embedded in the Irish economy.

To further facilitate enterprise development, the Government is focusing on enhancing the country's skills base, implementing the infrastructure elements of the national development plan and shaping the regulatory environment for enterprise.

Question No. 141 answered with Question No. 134.