Tom Fleming
Ceist:3Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the actions he will take in relation to matters (details supplied); and his plans for jobs in County Kerry. [21032/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 26 April 2012
Ceisteanna (3)
Freagraí ó Béal (35 píosaí cainte)
The achievement of balanced regional development continues to be a core objective of this Government. The enterprise agencies under the remit of my Department, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the Kerry County Enterprise Board work continuously to encourage the establishment and the development of industry in the county. Between them the client companies of IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the Kerry County Enterprise Board employ almost 6,300 people in the county.
Following the announcement by Aetna to close its facility at Castleisland, IDA Ireland was successful in attracting JRI America Incorporated, to establish a software development operation in Tralee, which will create up to 100 highly skilled positions over the next number of years. Recruitment is already under way for a number of positions. The vacant Aetna building is the property of that company and it is the company's decision to put the building on the market. At the time of the announcement of the company closure, there were local reports that the building should be given over to the State or local development interests but no such decision was ever agreed to or proposed by the company.
As regards the Pretty Polly site, this building is not in the ownership of the IDA. The building itself was formerly a manufacturing facility which means that the opportunity to source a prospective tenant for this building may be limited in its current layout. Both the IDA and the CEO of Kerry CEB have had engagement with Killarney Town Council on the matter and both remain available to provide assistance regarding potential uses for the building.
With respect to the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, and the Minister, Deputy Bruton, the reply is a repeat of one I received from the Minister, Deputy Bruton, last November. The reply contains much rhetoric and gobbledygook and is repetitive of one I received six months ago. In the south-west region we are the poor relations in terms of employment and the attraction of viable jobs into this country. We are being totally overlooked.
This morning it was welcome to hear the announcement of a significant number of jobs in Dún Laoghaire. I would be the first person to compliment the Government on the efforts it is making. We have heard a plethora of announcements in the past 12 months. Excellent efforts are being made. The Government is striving to attract foreign direct investment and also supporting local businesses as much as possible but on a geographic level we are being treated in a reckless manner. I will be honest about it. It is not just this Government but successive Governments have allowed Kerry to become an industrial wasteland, which is currently epitomised by the vacant Pretty Polly plant in Killarney in recent years. Absolutely nothing is happening there although the premises was given to the State for free. It is also epitomised at the moment by the Aetna company premises in Castleisland which has been vacant since last December when the final lot of employees vacated the premises. The company has relocated its financial services operations to Asia. Its premises was also to be given to the State. A senior executive of the Aetna company assured me 12 months ago that it would, at the time of the announcement of the closure when I asked him whether the plant would be donated to the State in a similar way as the Pretty Polly plant. He said it would be also available to another employer. The situation was in the affirmative at that particular time.
One and a half minutes remain for the question.
I brought the issue to the attention of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, six months ago. It is a devastating blow to see a "For Sale" sign on the building for the past two months. The premises is state-of-the-art and comprises approximately 16,000 sq. ft. It is located in a town that has been devastated in an area of County Kerry that has been totally neglected. Many of the 120 staff who are capable and skilled people are not in any way confident about gaining work in the near future. Some of them have left this country. I urge the Minister to intervene at this late stage because I got positive statements last November about the IDA placing suitable industry in the vacant premises. I am most disappointed with what I have heard this evening.
I raised the matter in the Joint Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education with Mr. Barry O'Leary the chief executive of the IDA. I am most disappointed because he was supposed to come back to me with a report on the matter but he never did.
On the Pretty Polly plant in Killarney, I compliment the mayor of Killarney, Sean Counihan, and his fellow councillors, who are like a band of IDA representatives themselves. They have to go out alone to seek suitable employment in the fine premises in Killarney. It is very sad that we are being let down by the State agencies. We have been let down by the Government. I do not wish to point the finger at any Minister but it is time to buck up and grasp the nettle and give us fair play in County Kerry.
I thank the Deputy. The time is up on that question. We move now to Question No. 4.
Before we move on I wish to say in reply that Enterprise Ireland in County Kerry is focused on the creation of new jobs. In 2011, a total of 3,602 people were employed in 124 enterprise client companies in County Kerry with 170 of those jobs created during that year. Equally, Enterprise Ireland has also provided funding of more than €2.2 million, as well as other supports for the development of incubation facilities at the Institute of Technology, Tralee. It is important that I put this on the record for Deputy Fleming. The Tom Crean business centre also provides an incubation space for Enterprise Ireland client companies in start-up phase.
The Minister of State must excuse me, the reply is on the record.
This is important. That is the normal procedure that I would reply to the question asked by the Deputy.
I know that but we are over time and I must move on. The reply is on the record.
It is important to put on record the fact that there are 12 IDA companies in Kerry employing 1,294 people. The IDA strategy for Kerry is to achieve development in globally traded business. The IDA promotes Kerry as part of an integrated region. The county has a population of 145,000. In addition, IDA Ireland is working closely with educational institutions in the region in developing the skillset. The IDA is also working with FÁS to provide guidance.
With regard to the Pretty Polly site, it is about subsidiarity and creating community, economic business opportunities. I strongly advise that the Killarney Town Council would engage with Enterprise Ireland and the IDA with a plan of action for the region on how best it can create jobs in that facility.
I thank the Minister of State.
With regard to the comment on the Aetna premises, local reports indicated that the building would be given over to the State or local development interests but no such decision was ever agreed to or proposed by the company directly to Government.
I thank the Minister of State. The response is on the record.
Yes, but the normal procedure is that-----
Yes, I know that. It is my mistake. I admit it.
An executive of the company informed me that the premises would be handed over to the Government and the local authority.
This is not an Adjournment debate.
I am sorry, Deputy.
This is a free-for-all.
We are in injury time. The Acting Chairman should allow Deputy Fleming to speak.
No effort was made to take any initiative to gain control of the premises-----
I will not allow a shoot-out.
-----but I ask today that the Department would move on it. We have nearly lost Tarbert due to bureaucracy.
Deputy Fleming.
A billion euro investment is nearly gone.
Deputy Fleming must please help me with my job.
Deputy Fleming is taking time from the next question.
The pharmaceutical centre of excellence is gone with the wind. Will the Minister and the Minister of State intervene today?
That is well put.
I will engage with Enterprise Ireland and the IDA and they will support the Deputy in every way possible.
Will they provide backup supports?
The Deputy can rest assured that they will.
We must move on to the next question and I will be strict about the time limits. I will let Deputies know when two minutes remain in the response time so the Minister can respond.
I want as much time as Deputy Fleming received.
I want twice as long.