Denis Naughten TD at the IDA Business Park in Roscommon Town.

Minister Richard Bruton has informed local TD Denis Naughten that the IDA is offering support to a business that is considering establishing an operation in Roscommon Town.
Deputy Naughten raised the issue of the vacant IDA advance factory with the Jobs Minister in the Dáil and was told “while there has been no further IDA Ireland sponsored further site visits to Roscommon to date in 2014, there is a pipeline with regard to Roscommon town, on which I am unable comment further at this time”.
Commenting on the response Denis Naughten said: “This is a very positive development and will build on the recently announced jobs projects in the Monksland area of South Roscommon and the continued expansion of Harmac in Castlerea.
“I’m glad that the pressure which I’m putting on the Minister and the jobs agencies is being listened to and every effort must now be taken to ensure that this important jobs project is delivered for County Roscommon.
“It is also important that further efforts are made to promote the MBNA operation in Carrick on Shannon which is due to close its doors in November. I know that in recent days the IDA and Enterprise Ireland met with Mr Frank Curran of Leitrim County Council and Leitrim Enterprise at the MBNA offices to discuss plans and developments for the facility,” concluded Denis Naughten.

Please find below copy of reply from Minister.

DAIL QUESTION NO. 77 & 78

To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 299 of 15 April 2014 the number of site visits that have taken place this year; and the progress, in securing an employer for the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
– Denis Naughten.

* For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 24th September, 2014.

Ref No: 36018/14

To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 300 of 15 April 2014 the number of site visits that have taken place this year; the progress, in securing an employer for the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
– Denis Naughten.

* For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 24th September, 2014.

Ref No: 36019/14

R E P L Y

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Mr Bruton)

I propose to take questions No 77 and No 78 together.

I am informed by IDA Ireland that, while there has been no further IDA Ireland sponsored further site visits to Roscommon to date in 2014, there is a pipeline with regard to Roscommon town, on which I am unable comment further at this time.

In regard to the Green Isle facility in Boyle, I am informed that there has been no change to the position as I outlined in reply to the Deputy’s question earlier this year.

In Roscommon, client companies of IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland employ a total of 2,460 people in full and part-time employment.

The Action Plan for Jobs 2014 includes a commitment to develop a framework for a Regional Enterprise Strategy to better integrate the efforts of the enterprise development agencies and other regional stakeholders in supporting enterprises. My intention is that the framework will be developed on a pilot basis initially, focusing on the Midlands and South East regions, and involving the agencies under the remit of my own Department – Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices The objective is to enhance synergies between the agencies and their client companies and build on the competitive strengths of the region to maximise the potential for job creation. The role which other public bodies in the region can play in working towards this objective will also be examined as the project develops. The aim is that this framework will serve as a model for other regions of the country.

Additionally, I launched my Department’s Policy Statement on Foreign Direct Investment in Ireland on 30 July last. This statement sets out the strategic direction for foreign direct investment to 2020 and the key actions needed to enhance Ireland’s attractiveness and business environment in the context of intensified international competition for investment and talent.

IDA Ireland are currently developing a new corporate strategy for the period 2015 – 2020 which reflects this policy statement and the need to address regional issues.

Tuesday, 15 April 2014
Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
IDA Site Visits
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
299. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress to date on sourcing a new tenant for a premises (details supplied); the number of site visits arranged to the premises in 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18030/14] Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
300. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the site visits arranged to view a vacant premises (details supplied) in each of the past two years to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18031/14] Richard Bruton (Minister, Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation; Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
I propose to take Questions Nos. 299 and 300 together.

I am informed by IDA Ireland that of the 4 IDA Ireland sponsored site visits by potential investors to Roscommon during 2013, 3 included a visit to the IDA facility in Roscommon Town. To date no tenant has been found for the building. There were no IDA Ireland sponsored site visits to County Roscommon during 2012 or to date in 2014.
There were no IDA Ireland sponsored site visits to the facility in Boyle. I have been informed by Enterprise Ireland that the facility in Boyle, which is in the ownership of Green Isle, is currently on the market. Enterprise Ireland understands that Green Isle has no plans for the facility other than disposal but have assured me that the agency’s Food Business Unit will promote the factory should it become aware of any potential new food projects.
The Action Plan for Jobs 2014 includes a commitment to develop a framework for a Regional Enterprise Strategy to better integrate the efforts of the enterprise development agencies and other regional stakeholders in supporting enterprises. My intention is that the framework will be developed on a pilot basis initially, focusing on the Midlands region, and involving the agencies under the remit of my own Department – Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the County and City Enterprise Boards (soon to become Local Enterprise Offices). The objective is to enhance synergies between the agencies and their client companies and build on the competitive strengths of the region to maximise the potential for job creation in both indigenous and foreign owned companies. The role which other public bodies in the region can play in working towards this objective will also be examined as the project develops. The aim is that this framework will serve as a model for other regions of the country.
This exercise will complement the in-depth analysis of our FDI strategy which is currently being undertaken by Forfás and which will take account of factors such as key trends emerging in FDI best practice internationally, Ireland’s strengths in attracting FDI and any changes to the EU’s State Aid Rules, which will come into effect on 1 July 2014. The results of these two exercises will form the basis of IDA Ireland’s strategy from 2015 onwards.