Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

——and the consumer telecommunications company IDT Toucan, which will create 300 new jobs at its customer service centre in Sligo. Enterprise Ireland's policy objectives for balanced regional development are reflected in the structure of its funding offers whereby funding for existing company expansion and start-up business is biased towards the regions. The maximum grant level is higher than in Dublin and the mid-east and a higher proportion of this funding is also non-repayable.

Since the beginning of 2002, Enterprise Ireland approved over €3.4 million in support to its client companies in County Sligo and made payments of over €2.4 million. In the same period EI has approved support of over €1.2 million for third level-industry partnerships with the Sligo Institute of Technology to encourage the adoption of new technologies by industry,

In terms of job creation, Enterprise Ireland activity is focused on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs setting up new high potential start-up companies, the retention and creation of new jobs in existing companies and enhancing innovation capability through support of research in companies and third level institutions.

Enterprise Ireland's future activities are outlined in its new strategic plan Transforming Irish Industry 2005-2007 which was launched by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in May 2005.

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