Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 217: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the work he and State agencies under his aegis are engaged in with companies from Canada; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19756/11]

Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of employees of companies from Canada employed here; the number in each county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19757/11]

Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the marketing campaigns he or State agencies under his aegis are undertaking to attract investment from Canada; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19758/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 to 219, inclusive, together.

There are a total of 16 IDA supported Canadian companies located in Ireland employing 800 people. The names of those companies and their location in Ireland are set out in the tabular statement. The IDA's strategy includes winning as many new jobs as possible each year and giving equal priority to maintaining existing jobs. To address the need to maintain jobs in Ireland, IDA is actively encouraging its client companies to engage in transformation initiatives, and is assisting them in programmes to:

Ø Improve company-wide competitiveness.

Ø Enhance use of new technologies.

Ø Grow the skills of the business.

Ø Engage in Research, Development and Innovation.

Ø Develop new business processes.

Ø Make company operations more energy efficient.

The combined influence of Ireland's increased competitiveness in business costs, commitment to our 12.5% corporate tax rate, transformation of client operations and activities, national Infrastructure development, Government's investment strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation and development of growth markets will continue to attract and increase the level of inward investment in Ireland.

New and established multinationals continue to invest and re-invest in their operations making Ireland one of the global locations of choice for mobile investment projects from the world's leading companies. In 2009, IDA launched a major marketing campaign aimed at the North American market, which includes Canada. As part of the marketing campaign, television (CNBC & Bloomberg), internet, newspaper and airport advertisements were placed, highlighting Ireland as an innovation hub with a population famed for its ability to respond in a creative manner to unique challenges and requirements. This campaign has been well received and is continuing.

Table Showing the Names and Locations of Canadian IDA Supported Companies in Ireland