The West Cork Technology Task Force

Since the establishment of the West Cork Technology Task Force (see panel below) considerable progress has been made in assessing the capacity of the region to support technology sector investment. The Task Force has consulted extensively with IDA Ireland, whose exceptional record in attracting IT investment and support has added momentum to the initiative. Revised industrial policy to ensure a greater regional spread of industrial development throughout the state also provides an opportunity for areas like West Cork to create high quality employment and to broaden its economic base.

In particular, the development of a 28 acre site at Grillagh, Clonakilty launched in May, 1999 now and ensures that the region can offer an attractive and competitive proposition for leading edge IT investment. The location of the West Cork Technology Park takes full account of critical location criteria including:

• High quality environment

• Telecommunications infrastructure

• Proximity to Cork Airport, UCC and CIT

• Availability of a skilled local labour force

Designed in accordance with IDA Ireland specifications, the park offers considerable capacity (280,000 sq ft) for the development of high specification manufacturing and office accomodation. Industrial activity envisaged for the park includes data processing, software development, shared services, healthcare manufacturing, research and development and technical support.

The park has also been approved by IDA Ireland under section 12 of the Finance Act 1984. This allowed £1M to be raised under a BES scheme for the provision of a 15,000 sq ft advance factory. Work is currently underway on site and by the year-end, four industrial units will be available for business users. A comprehensive marketing initiative is now underway to promote the park to potential domestic and overseas clients.

The Task Force in association with West Cork LEADER Co-operative and UCC is currently formulating plans to explore how IDA supported inward investment in Clonakilty can foster the development of a local IT industry throughout West Cork.

Pictured above at the launch of the West Cork Technology Park, Mr. Brian Crowley, MEP, Mr. Kevin Murphy, MCC, Mr. John Flemming and Mr. Dan McSweeney, West Cork Technology Task Force.