Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 June 2018
140. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if a centre (details supplied) will be given further consideration in respect of the location of inward investment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27332/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIDA Ireland markets Co. Cavan as part of its North-East region, together with Louth and Monaghan. There are currently seven multinational companies in Cavan employing a total of 1,155 people.
The IDA Ireland business and technology park in Killygarry, Co. Cavan covers approximately 17 hectares. Of this, around 11 hectares are currently available for marketing. The main tenant on the park is ATA Group, which is an Enterprise Ireland client company.
IDA Ireland is actively marketing the park to both existing and prospective clients as a location for overseas investment. The Agency will also consider opportunities to utilise the Park to attract other, less traditional investments into this location. These are investments which don’t fall under the general remit of IDA or Enterprise Ireland but which could create investment and employment opportunities in Cavan.
The Agency has a dedicated regional manager for the North East/North West Region and has an office in the Cavan Innovation and Technology Centre. As part of its strategy to encourage investment to the area the Agency is focusing on sectors including agri-food, manufacturing, tourism, internationally traded services. The IDA also regularly engages with key stakeholders on the ground in Cavan including local authorities, public bodies, the education sector and companies from both its own client base but also from the indigenous sector.
Attracting FDI to regional areas is not without its challenges. That’s largely because there is a global trend to base FDI around large urban areas. Quite often companies also want to be located near competitors or clusters of other similar enterprises. As a result, it’s unavoidable that some businesses are intent in investing in larger urban areas. That sometimes is just a commercial reality.
Nevertheless I recognise that there is room for improvement in Cavan and we are working hard, across Government, to further unlock the economic potential of the area. The Enterprise Agencies remain pivotal to this and they continue to engage with their clients, and with one another, to create jobs and source new investment for the region.
