Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 23 Oct 2003

Vol. 573 No. 2

Written Answers. - Regional Development.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

13 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans she has to ensure a regionally balanced employment rate; if her attention has been drawn to the significant employment disparities within the southern and eastern regions; the further plans she has to address unemployment blackspots; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24466/03]

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

Regional development is a significant focus of Government policy. Its importance has been confirmed in the current national development plan and the national spatial strategy, NSS. The latter strategy addresses the ongoing concentration of population and economic activity along the eastern seaboard, especially in the greater Dublin area, with a view to achieving balanced regional development throughout the country.

The objective of the State development agencies has been to encourage the design of a strategy that will enable as many areas as possible to share in balanced regional development. The key determinants of sustained economic performance at both national and regional levels that require development through the NSS include a critical mass of innovative, high value-added enterprises across a range of technology intensive sectors; networked regional gateways and hubs; a well developed educational system and a skilled workforce; high quality physical infrastructure including a modern broadband telecommunications network; an adequate supply of housing and a high quality and sustainable environment. The State development agencies will work to ensure that the key centres under the NSS play a critical role in the promotion of balanced regional development. However, the effectiveness of their strategies will be strongly influenced by a supportive business environment in the regions.

The south-east region has been successful in attracting a number of modern industries. The most notable have been Genzyme with its biotechnology facility in Waterford, Alza/Johnson & Johnson, a pharmaceutical project in Cashel, as well as PFPC in Wexford and Deutsche Bank in Kilkenny. In addition to these new substantial investments, there has been a number of notable expansions in the region from companies such as Guidant in Clonmel, AOL and Sunlife in Waterford and Lake Region in New Ross.

Wexford is a hub town under the national spatial strategy. As a hub, Wexford has an important spatial role in establishing a triangle of strength based around Waterford as a gateway and Kilkenny as the other hub. In keeping with Waterford's designation as a gateway location, IDA Ireland has selected Waterford as one of its three strategic locations nationally by adding extra resources to the south-east. Within the region, some areas such as Wexford have not fared as well as others in enterprise development. To help redress the jobs situation in Wexford, Enterprise Ireland and the Wexford County Enterprise Board have provided significant funding for an extension to the community enterprise centre at the Kerlogue Industrial Estate in Wexford. IDA Ireland is also developing a 70 acre business and technology park in Carlow. The main focus in south Tipperary is Tipperary town and the upgrading of its business park. This town has also suffered significant job losses in recent years.

I am satisfied that the combined efforts of the State development agencies, as well as the ongoing commitment of the Government to regional development, will continue to bring positive results to the area.