Regional economic development is the key to Ireland's continued prosperity the Tánaiste Ms Harney said today.
Speaking at the launch of IDA’s Ireland’s new offices in Athlone, Ms Harney said that regional development could be achieved through a combination of local determination and initiative allied to Government investment through programmes such as the National Development Plan.
Recognising the imbalances that had arisen in regional economic development, IDA in 1999 adopted a target of having 50 per cent of all new greenfield jobs from inward investment located in Objective One regions in the period to 2003, as opposed to the 25 per cent achieved in the 1990s.
IDA Ireland’s new regionalised structure will stimulate and support local initiative and become a partner in the economic development of the regions, said the Tanaiste.
Mr John Dunne, chairman of IDA Ireland said that achieving balanced regional development was a core priority for IDA.
He said Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick are clear centres of attraction within their own regions and the IDA is now giving particular attention to Athlone, Sligo and Waterford to help stimulate the required growth in these regions.