Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 104: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the steps that he is taking to create employment initiatives in the Tallaght area of Dublin in view of the concerns of this Deputy and others; if he will confirm the contacts being made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30676/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The industrial development agencies, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, and the South Dublin County Enterprise Board under the aegis of my Department, are responsible for investment and enterprise development in the Tallaght area and the activities carried out to achieve these objectives result in job creation. Since 2008, Enterprise Ireland has made payments of over €24 million to client companies in the Tallaght and South Dublin region. The agency actively engages with client companies and has a number of supports and initiatives in place to assist them. In addition, the agency is offering a range of new funding supports in 2010 such as the Job Expansion Scheme, the Lean Initiative Programmes, New Market Research Programmes, Key Manager Grants as well as the continuation of the Enterprise Stabilisation Fund.

The role of South Dublin County Enterprise Board is to provide a source of support for micro-enterprise in the start-up and expansion phases, to promote and develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level. The Board can support individuals, firms and community groups provided that the proposed project has the capacity to achieve commercial viability. The Board delivers a series of support programmes to fulfil this role, and provides both financial and non-financial assistance to a project promoter.

Tallaght and South County Dublin are well equipped to compete with other areas for potential Foreign Direct Investment, with superb infrastructure facilities at City West and Grange Castle and a Third Level Institute of Technology at Tallaght. Both of these business parks are easily accessible to the population of Tallaght. In 2009, Pfizer merged with the Wyeth Corporation. The former Wyeth Biotech Campus at Grange Castle, Clondalkin is now Pfizer's largest investment in Ireland - a €1.8 billion biopharmaceutical campus located in South County Dublin. Over 1,220 full time employees work at Grange Castle, which is part of the Pfizer Specialty and Biotech manufacturing network. The agency works closely with the Pfizer Company to encourage additional development and expansion.

Last September, Microsoft opened its new "mega" data centre, a 303,000 sq-foot facility in the City West Business Campus. The investment in the facility is part of Microsoft's long-term commitment to the region. This site will be the infrastructural hub for online services and cloud computing across Microsoft. In May of this year, SAP commenced recruitment of 75 additional jobs at its City West facility bringing the employment figure to over 1,000 at the campus. The industrial development agencies and the County Enterprise Board will continue to promote the Tallaght area for investment and enterprise development and there is a concerted effort by IDA to promote South County Dublin to potential overseas investors. These activities will drive job creation in the Tallaght area.