Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 16 Dec 2003

Vol. 577 No. 3

Written Answers. - Industrial Development.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

144 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the effect the proposed 9% cut announced by her Department will have on the IDA's ability to provide employment in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31150/03]

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

IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment to Ireland and its regions. While the Exchequer provision for IDA capital grants in 2004 of €81.835 million is 9% lower than the 2003 allocation of €90.266 million, IDA Ireland advises that the agreed allocation is sufficient to meet expected demands in 2004 for the following reasons: there has been a trend in recent years to negotiate grants at lower rates than heretofore applied; the value of the grant negotiated is, in many cases, less important than other factors; EU guidelines are having an effect also on the value of grants that can be offered.

With regard to IDA Ireland activity in County Louth I understand the first phase of development of the IDA's new business and technology park adjacent to the south Drogheda intersection with the new M1 motorway is nearing completion, that the agency has received planning permission for three office blocks totalling 133,000 sq. ft. on the park and that it intends to seek a developer for the provision for the first of these buildings early in 2004. IDA Ireland is also actively marketing a number of units which are being provided by private developers at Donore, Newgrange and other business parks.

In Dundalk, IDA has engaged consultants to prepare a plan in conjunction with other State and private partners for its considerable landholdings to the south-west of the town. It is hoped that this will become a significant campus for new investment again capitalising on Dundalk's status as a gateway town under the national spatial strategy. This will involve the creation of a unified image for lands owned by the respective partners as an integrated business location. The agency has received planning permission for five buildings at Finnabair business park, three of which are offices of approximately 30,000 sq. ft. each and two are advance technology units of circa 25,000 sq. ft. each. In addition they are marketing smaller units at the science services centre at Finnabair and at Blackthorn business park.

Recent announcements of additional overseas investment and jobs in Louth include: ABB in Dundalk, which provided 40 additional jobs in its manufacturing operation during the year bringing total employment in the company to 100. I understand the company is now embarking on a major expansion of its research and development and marketing functions. A new international services project by Finmatica Trademark Limited has begun the process of locating in a 3,000 sq. ft. section of the science services centre in Finnabair business park. It is expected that it will employ 15 staff in a year expanding to 60 in three years.

I am satisfied that the level of funding provided to IDA Ireland for its capital grants programme is more than adequate to enable the agency to carry out its statutory functions and attract the maximum possible amount of sustainable overseas investment and jobs for Ireland and its regions, including County Louth.