A major drive is required to attract new job creating projects to the 14.88 hectares technology park in Westport where just one unit is currently occupied. Local Dáil deputy and Fine Gael spokesperson on community, rural and Gaeltacht affairs Michael Ring said that he is disappointed at the level of investment by the IDA in attracting new industry to the town.
Dep Ring had tabled a number of Dáil questions on the status of the Westport Technology Park and was informed by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment that in the past two years there were four site visits to Mayo by potential investors.
Last year Dep Ring was informed there was just one visit to Ballina while in 2008 there were two visits to Westport and one to Claremorris. The Minister said: “For reasons of commercial sensitivity and client confidentiality, details of the potential investors are not disclosed.”
Dep Ring quizzed the Minister on the numbers employed in IDA supported companies in Mayo in each of the past five years. The Minister outlined there were 3,038 in 2005; 2,973 in 2006; 3,004 in 2007; 3,010 in 2008; and 2,992 in 2009.
Referring to the Westport Technology Park the Minister said: “I have been informed by the IDA that the Westport Business and Technology Park consists of 14.88 hectares of which 9.56 hectares are available for investment projects. One unit has been built on the park and is currently occupied. IDA continues to market the park to potential investors but in the final analysis, it is the investor who decides where to locate.”
In response Dep Ring said: “A real effort will have to be made to attract new industry to Westport. Up to now it has been a bit of a joke. The IDA will have to concentrate on attracting new industries to Westport.”
