Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 18 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 4

Written Answers. - Job Creation.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

115 Ms Enright asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs in IDA-supported companies created in County Offaly and County Laois in each year for the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4459/03]

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

Information on the number of jobs in IDA-supported companies created in Counties Offaly and Laois over the past five years is included in the following tabular statement.

Over the past five years the IDA-supported companies in Laois and Offaly have faced difficulties. Laois and Offaly, as well as much of the midlands, are in a period of transition from dependence on the more cost competitive sectors to the higher value-added activities. Part of this transition has reflected job reductions and losses in long-established employers in the region such as Leoni Ireland in Birr, Lowe Alpine Systems in Tullamore, Avon Arlington in Portarlington and C&M Europe Limited in Portlaoise. These job losses have been disappointing and reinforce the task and objectives of the IDA to build and attract companies in the more modern industrial and higher value-added activities. To achieve this result, a strategic programme is now fully operational and will deliver the results I believe the region deserves, namely: 50% of all new greenfield jobs over the 2000-2006 period to be located in the Objective One region; roll-out of the broadband metro-rings for Portlaoise and Tullamore, which is expected to be in place and fully operational by end of 2003; construction of the Monasterevin bypass, part of the M7, which is due to commence during 2003 and will extend motorway and dual carriageway from Dublin to the south-west of Portlaoise, considerably improving road access. Completion of the M6 from Dublin to Athlone to Galway will also significantly enhance the marketing of the midlands region. Construction of the Kilcock-Kinnegad section of the M6 is due to commence in spring 2003. The Dublin-Galway gas pipeline is now completed and distribution lines are to be run into Tullamore. Portlaoise is already on the gas pipeline.

IDA Ireland's property programme is also operational. Srah business park, Tullamore, is being upgraded and all infrastructural work will be complete by July 2003. Total investment in the park is approximately €3.5 million. The IDA is marketing the 27,000 sq. ft. facility on the business park, which is planned for upgrade. Portlaoise business park – developers are on-site to complete landscaping and infrastructural work and to construct a 17,000 sq. ft. office facility. Total investment in the park is approximately €3 million. The results of this are already beginning to flow with the announcement of the GeneMedix European manufacturing centre and Zannini Ireland's pharmaceutical packaging facility for the Srah business park, Tullamore. Other developments in the region are the announcements by Oakley to establish a 100-person prescription eyewear facility in Mullingar, which is now in production, and the expansion of the GMACCM facility, also in Mullingar.

I am confident that the commitment of the Government to regional development, as evidenced by the combined investments in the NDP, metro-loops and the gas pipeline, together with the marketing initiatives now under way by IDA Ireland, will build on the progress already achieved in this region.

		1998	1999	2000	2001	*2002
Laois	Number of companies	9	6	6	7	6
Laois	Permanent employment	756	386	392	347	334
Laois	Gross gains (new jobs)	7	23	41	14	30
Laois	Job losses	-108	-393	-35	-59	-43
Laois	Net change in employment	-101	-370	6	-45	-13

		1998	1999	2000	2001	*2002
Offaly	Number of companies	12	14	13	12	11
Offaly	Permanent employment	1,534	1,884	1,620	1,308	1,191
Offaly	Gross gains (new jobs)	90	409	100	129	120
Offaly	Job losses	-35	-59	-364	-441	-237
Offaly	Net change in employment	55	350	-264	-312	-117

* Please note that the figures for 2002 are preliminary figures only.