IDA manager defends job-creation record

Criticism of IDA Ireland's track record in securing jobs for the south-east has been firmly rejected by the agency's manager in the region, Mr Pat Loftus.

With Waterford and Wexford in particular continuing to record significant unemployment rates, job-creation agencies have come under continual attack for their failure to attract a proportionate number of new enterprises to the region.

The problem was acknowledged by the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, on a recent visit to Waterford when she announced the setting-up of a strategy group to tackle the area's economic deficiencies. A similar initiative was undertaken in Wexford last year.

Mr Loftus says, however, that the IDA has made a "huge commitment" to securing jobs for the region and, with new business and technology parks opening in Waterford and Carlow, as well as projects in Kilkenny, Tipperary and Wexford, there is good reason for optimism.

Poor access to Waterford, however, continues to be a serious obstacle to investment in the city, he says. "Some people are critical of us for pointing this out, but we're not being negative as they suggest. Waterford is a great location with an excellent third-level institution, but the quality of access by road and air is a big constraint."

With the Dublin-Waterford dual carriageway not due for completion until 2007, it's an obstacle that's set to remain for some time. There are measures which could be taken in the meantime. In a meeting last week with the South-East Regional Authority, Mr Loftus and the IDA area director for the south, Mr Paddy Gallagher, said an increase in services from Waterford Regional Airport and an upgrading of the Kilkenny-Waterford road were matters which required urgent attention.

The two men, however, also outlined the progress that has been made in bringing investment to the region, as well as ongoing projects.

In Kilkenny, more than 750 jobs were announced last year in projects in which the IDA was involved. Deutsche Bank, Bank of Ireland financial services and Infoscore all set up in advance buildings on the agency's business and technology park, while the VHI established a call centre on the IDA industrial park at Purcellsinch. The agency's 176-acre holding at Belview port is being targeted for large-scale process industry, the authority was told.

In Waterford, the international services sector continued to grow with the announcement of 250 jobs at an NTL call centre on the IDA industrial park as well as 200 new jobs at the Sun Life information centre. A 70-acre flagship technology park is nearing completion with planning permission in place for 200,000 sq ft of modern offices.

In Wexford, there was an important breakthrough last year with the decision by a major financial services company, PFPC, to locate a 200-job funds administration operation at the IDA business park in Wexford town. Advance factories are planned for New Ross and Enniscorthy.

South Tipperary received a boost last month with the announcement of the Alza healthcare plant at Cashel, with an initial 100 jobs, while the IDA has secured a 50-acre site for a high-profile business and technology park in Carlow. Planning permission is also being sought for an advance factory.

The spread of investment has given rise to criticism in Waterford, where it is argued in some quarters that the competing interests of so many urban centres has ultimately damaged the region.

Mr Loftus says, however, that Waterford is promoted as a regional gateway, and almost half of the IDA-supported jobs in the south-east are in the capital.

"Waterford is a very considerable part of our programme, but there are five substantial urban centres in the South-East, and we have to try to lift the region as a whole. We are trying to achieve a regional spread."

The IDA, he insists, is aware that Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway have attracted more than their share of foreign investment, and is intent on breaking that pattern.