Vacant IDA factory units in Cork
Allen asked about vacant factory units in Cork and received figures for existing space and a new enterprise centre. He sought construction costs and questioned speculative building and the alleged pressure on firms to occupy unsuitable units; Bruton said factories were not being built speculatively and firms should choose suitable sites.
asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism the number of advance factory units vacant in Cork city and country at present.
Comment on this
I am informed that the IDA has a total of 353,230 sq. ft. of factory space in Cork city and country. I propose a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate details of the size and location of these factories in the form of a tabular statement.
In addition, a 32,500 sq. ft. enterprise centre is currently being constructed in Cork city comprising 37 units ranging in size from 250 sq. ft. to 950 sq. ft.
The following is the statement:
Factory Units in Cork City and County
*PF = Privately Financed.
Comment on this
Could the Minister give the cost of the land and the cost of providing these vacant units in Cork city and county?
Comment on this
It may be a fair question but it is a separate one and I was not asked for that information. If the Deputy seeks that information I will get it for him.
Comment on this
Could the Minister investigate the circumstances in which the IDA made decisions to go ahead with these units without having any industrialists to take them up? Is he also aware of the policy pursued by the IDA at present to force industrialists into these vacant units instead of letting them go to sites which they would prefer?
Comment on this
I would be very concerned if the IDA were forcing companies into sites which did not suit them and, if the Deputy has evidence to that effect, I would require the IDA not to do that because clearly industries should locate where they will do their job best. I am concerned about the statements which the Deputy has made. However, I had already answered the first part of his question in response to a question from Deputy Taylor. The IDA are not building speculative advance factories at present in the hope that they will get clients. They are only building for specific needs, either for an individual industry or for a type of space which is not available in the existing advance factories stock. The advance factories to which I referred are available in diminishing quantities because, I am glad to say, there is an upturn in industrial investment and I hope that the remaining advance factories will be filled reasonably quickly because things are moving quite well in industrial promotion.