Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

Support for job creation and investment on a regional or local basis is a day-to-day operational matter for the industrial development agencies. The agencies are actively promoting all areas, including County Mayo, for new investment and jobs on an ongoing basis. The number of jobs in IDA Ireland client companies in Mayo has increased from 3,170 in 1998 to 3,468 in 2003. The number of jobs in Enterprise Ireland client companies in Mayo has remained relatively steady since 1998, with a slight increase in the numbers employed by client companies, up from 2,820 in 1998 to 2,842 in 2003. Since the beginning of 2003 to date, Enterprise Ireland has approved funding of over €2.5 million and made payments of approximately €1.4 million for projects for client companies in Mayo. Since its establishment the Mayo County Enterprise Board has paid €3.5 million in grant aid to 495 new businesses which between them have created 1,030 full-time jobs and 242 part-time jobs. The board has also provided business advice and training programmes to over 2,000 people involved in the operation of micro enterprises in Mayo involving an expenditure of over €1.3 million.

The Deputy made specific reference to the recent job losses in Westport. Regrettably, while some job losses have also been experienced over the period, in reality this is a recurring feature of economic development in all countries as various sectors expand and contract in response to market demand for goods and services, competitive forces, restructuring and technological change. The above statistics on job creation and employment in companies in Mayo indicate that the trend in job losses in the county has been arrested. This is due in no small part to the work of the development agencies and is all the more laudable when considered in the context of global difficulties experienced during the period. With regard to the geographical spread of foreign direct investment, IDA Ireland is seeking to achieve 50% of all new greenfield jobs in the BMW region over the 2000-06 period and substantial progress is being made. Since 2000, a total of 46% of all new greenfield jobs have been created in the BMW region. In 1999, prior to the start of the Government's current national development programme, 25% of all new greenfield jobs were locating in the region.

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As County Mayo is an integral part of the Objective One, or BMW region, maximum grant rates to companies are at a higher level than those applying to many other parts of the country. This Government fought for such a concession in the lead-up to the launch of the national development plan and the related EU-funded operational programmes. The aid limits that apply in Mayo are at the highest possible level and are an additional attraction for companies to increase job complements in Mayo.

The issue concerning the supply of natural gas to all the major towns in Mayo is one for the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. I am confident the strategies and policies being pursued by the development agencies, together with the ongoing commitment of Government to regional development will bear fruit in terms of additional sustainable investment and jobs for the people of all regions.

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