Statement by Mr. Noel Treacy, T.D., Minister for Science, Technology and Commerce, welcoming the publication of the National Development Plan 2000-2006

Mr. Noel Treacy, T.D., Minister for Science, Technology and Commerce, today (Monday 15th November 1999) welcomed the publication of the Government's National Development Plan. Minister Treacy welcomed in particular the fostering of balanced Regional Development, while at the same time maximising the growth potential of our economy, as a whole. In formulating the National Development Plan, Minister Treacy said this Government is reflecting the importance of balancing investment between the Regions.

More balanced regional development is a fundamental objective of the Plan. Investment in the Border, Midland and Western Operation Programme will complement investment in the Interregional Programmes. The focus will be primarily on development of local infrastructure, local enterprise development and on promoting social inclusion. e 2645.6million (£2083.6million) has been provided in this Programme.

As Minister for Science and Technology, Minister Treacy particularly welcomed the Electronic Commerce and Communications measure, where e106.66million (£84million) is being provided in the region, which represents two-thirds of the national allocation under this measure. Within the region specifically, there will be a particular emphasis on promoting the benefits of e/business and communications technology.

Available access to advanced information and communications infrastructure means that physical location no longer needs to be a determining factor in relation to access to work or employment. Investment in this infrastructure can, therefore, yield benefits for the region, in particular, for the more remote areas and rural communities. Electronic Commerce is driving fundamental changes in business and will be a significant and strategic area of industrial development opportunities in coming years.

The County and City Enterprise Boards, which cover the entire country, are responsible for the promotion of local development, principally through the provision of a comprehensive range of business supports, comprising advice, financial assistance and management training, to micro-enterprises (10 employees or less). The Boards play a pivotal role in assisting start-up business and the development of micro-enterprises. The Boards have assisted the creation of over 16,000 jobs in manufacturing, tourism and local services, in the period 1994 to date.

The micro-enterprise measure is particularly relevant to the region where enterprise tends to be on a smaller scale and where there is a requirement for support for the development of local services. The local base of the County Enterprise Boards, who will be responsible for the delivery of this measure, also means that the projects supported tend to be more appropriate and relevant to their social and economic environment which is a key consideration in the drive for sustainable economic development in the region.

Ireland has undergone a remarkable economic transformation since the current Plan was published in 1993. In that period the economy has grown by more than 50%, four times the EU average and employment has grown by more than 20%. This new National Development Plan is designed to build on this unprecedented economic success of the country and to ensure that the foundations of continuing sustainable economic growth are strengthened.

Minister Treacy expressed his confidence that the implementation of the Plan would remedy many of the infrastructure and business environment deficiencies in the West. He also expressed his firm belief, that the response of Western Communities would meet the challenge of development in the years ahead.