Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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They have given the breakdown by region. They should have it by county so we will ask. There is a phenomenal amount of double counting here. They say they have assisted companies supported by SBCI projects amounting to 148,000 people. There were probably 148,000 people there before they gave them a loan or grant. If IDA Ireland approves 200 jobs in a place where there are already 2,000 it states it has supported the company with 2,200 jobs. All the State agencies count the total employment in these companies as though it had something to do with that, even if they have had a minuscule impact on some of the companies.

IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, local enterprise offices, and the SBCI all count the same people in the same jobs multiple times just because there is some level of engagement with a State body. The figures do not pertain to jobs specifically created by or supported specifically by SBCI.