Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 January 2012
285 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Industrial Development Agency business parks in County Galway; the number of businesses that are based in the various parks; the number of persons employed in these parks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3739/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of the targets set out in IDA Ireland's strategy document ‘ Horizon 2020’ is the creation of 62,000 direct new jobs with 105,000 total jobs impact Ireland over the period 2010-2014, with 50% of these investments to be based in locations outside of Dublin and Cork. In implementing this Strategy, IDA Ireland exercises its discretion to actively promote available buildings and land in its business parks with a view to attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to Ireland.
IDA Ireland has informed me that it has invested significantly in the provision of world class property solutions in County Galway. There are currently 16 IDA Ireland Business Parks in Galway, at the following locations: Galway City (5) Parkmore East, Tuam (2), Gort, Loughrea, Ballinasloe, Roundstone, Portumna, Athenry Town, Glenamaddy, Mountbellew and Ballygar. There are currently 32 businesses involved in manufacturing and internationally traded service activities in these Business Parks. The information relating to employment numbers is received by IDA Ireland on a confidential basis and cannot be disclosed. I can confirm, however, that overall, in Galway City and County, there 58 IDA supported companies employing 12,076 people in permanent and contract positions.
286 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to promote the Mullingar business and technology park, County Westmeath, which is currently considerably overlooked by the Industrial Development Agency in terms of visits and promotion, given of the mere 21 such visits since 2006 not one has resulted in the location of a single business in the park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3964/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra287 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the reason a business park such as that in Mullingar, County Westmeath, which cost millions of euro, has top class facilities, is fully landscaped and with its own interior road, roundabout and bus shelters is being allowed to lie semi-idle without State assisted progress in utilising and developing its potential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3965/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra288 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will bring the necessary pressure to bear on the Industrial Development Agency to maximise its efforts to attract businesses to the Mullingar business and technology park, County Westmeath, in view of the fact that such investment is urgently needed to revitalise the economic and job profile of the midlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3966/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 286 to 288, inclusive, together.
In line with the Government's National Spatial Strategy (NSS) and IDA Ireland's Strategy, Horizon 2020, IDA Ireland is focused on advancing regional economic development primarily through Gateway locations. In that context, the Midlands Gateway of Mullingar, Tullamore and Athlone is a key focus of IDA Ireland and the agency markets the Midlands Gateway for new Greenfield investments through its network of overseas offices. It also works with existing clients to broaden their mandate in Ireland and to continue to re-invest in their sites within the Region.
IDA Ireland has invested significantly in developing its Business and Technology Park in Mullingar in order to make it attractive to overseas clients. The strategy of developing lands and property solutions in advance of securing new investments has been a fundamental differentiator in IDA's marketing efforts with overseas clients. IDA Ireland has assured me that, while it hosted 3 first time site visits to Mullingar and 15 visits to the Midlands Region in 2011, it will continue to promote its Business and Technology Park and other local private property solutions to secure new investments for Mullingar and its surrounding areas.
