Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Job Creation.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

190 Mr. Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action she has or proposes to take to increase industrial job opportunities in Tuam, County Galway; if there is a suitable vacant advance factory available; if the IDA is in negotiation with a prospective occupier of such a building; if her attention has been drawn to the drastically reduced number of manufacturing jobs in Tuam compared to five years ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16902/02]

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

I should point out, at the outset, that the provision of jobs is a day-to-day matter for the development agencies and not one for which I, as Minister, would have a direct function.

IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, which are the agencies under the aegis of my Department with responsibility for industrial development, are actively marketing Tuam as a location for industry. At present, there are three overseas companies located in Tuam – Transitions Opticals, Pulse Engineering and Logstrup – with a combined employment of over 300 people. IDA Ireland has purchased a new 30 acre business park in the town. Site development work has progressed in the park, advance units have been designed and planning permission has been granted for a 25,000 sq. ft. new advance facility.

Tuam's proximity to Galway as a successful regional hub further enhances the town's attractiveness for suitable clients and in this regard IDA Ireland will continue to develop and enhance the marketability of the town. While the market remains tough and challenging, IDA is confident that the agency's investment and efforts will yield results for the town.

IDA Ireland Companies in Tuam: Permanent Jobs 1997-2001

Company	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001
Logstrup Irl. Ltd.	50	55	55	49	61
Pulse Engineering Ireland	106	92	93	40	29
Transitions Optical Ltd	180	176	194	211	211
Three Companies:	336	323	342	300	301

Enterprise Ireland's west regional office is also actively involved in promoting investment in Tuam and is working closely with 25 existing indigenous industries in the town and its environs with the view to assisting them in their future plans and developments. The agency is also represented on the Committee of Action Tuam, a locally based community group and has invested €67,181 to date in the development of a community enterprise centre to provide suitable space for small, early stage companies. Enterprise Equity Ltd. a seed capital venture company, in partnership with Enterprise Ireland, expanded the office network to Galway with the view to further developing and providing equity support to businesses in the west region. Employment in indigenous industry within the Tuam area has grown continuously over the past five years, with employment in indigenous companies increasing from 653 people in 1997 to 830 people in 2001, an increase of 27%.

A second key focus for Enterprise Ireland has been on the establishment and development of high potential start up companies through the provision of both targeted funding and value adding services, including project building, gathering market intelligence and facilitating access to key buyers. To this end the agency is represented on the Galway County Enterprise Board and its evaluation committee and in so doing, seeks to identify existing CEB clients whose growth prospects suggest that they have the potential to become clients of Enterprise Ireland and to facilitate a smooth transition from one agency to another.