Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Unemployment is measured through the quarterly national household survey as published by the Central Statistics Office. The survey provides a breakdown of data on a regional basis only, and not on specific towns. The most recent survey data published at the end of May shows the national unemployment rate is 4.2%. The equivalent rate for the western region, which includes Ballina, is 4.3%.

Live register data are available for specific areas such as Ballina. However, they are not designed to measure unemployment. In addition to showing the numbers claiming unemployment assistance and benefit, they also include part-time, seasonal and casual workers, who are entitled to unemployment benefit. In May 2005, a total of 1,437 people were on the live register in Ballina. The most recent data available are for May 2006, which show that this number has fallen to 1,308.

State support for enterprise and job creation is channelled through the industrial development agencies, and while I may give general policy directives to the agencies under the Industrial Development Acts, I am precluded from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others.

I have been assured by the agencies under the remit of my Department that they are endeavouring to attract new investment, to encourage the start-up of new businesses, to grow existing businesses and to develop the labour market in County Mayo.

IDA Ireland actively promotes Ballina for new foreign investment and since January 2003, five first-time site visits to Ballina have taken place. In addition, IDA Ireland actively works with the existing base of overseas companies in Ballina and Mayo to encourage them to grow and expand.

IDA Ireland is also developing world class business and technology parks at a number of towns throughout Mayo. The goal is to ensure that such locations have the appropriate property solutions, tailored to specific key sectoral targets, to attract inward investment. In Ballina, IDA Ireland has been in discussions with Mayo County Council regarding the acquisition of a site of approximately 27 acres in local authority ownership on the Sligo Road. The IDA has completed site investigation works and has obtained planning permission for site development works to ensure these lands are suitable for industrial purposes prior to acquisition. I understand the IDA awaits contract documentation and copy of unburdened title from Mayo County Council.

In terms of job creation, Enterprise Ireland activity is focussed on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs setting up new high potential start-up companies, HPSU, the retention and creation of new jobs in existing companies and in enhancing the innovation capability of Ireland at a national and regional level through support of research in companies and third level institutions. A new Enterprise Ireland supported HPSU company, Heatsolve Limited, commenced operations in Ballina in early 2005.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

The overall aim of Enterprise Ireland's strategy is to transform Irish companies into market focused and innovation driven businesses and to increase their exports, sales and employment. Enterprise Ireland has approved funding support of more than €6.4 million and paid more than €2.9 million to companies in County Mayo in the period from 2003 to date. Of this, Enterprise Ireland client companies in the north Mayo area have been approved funding of more than €1.2 million.

Enterprise Ireland has worked in close co-operation with Mayo County Council in the development of the broadband metropolitan area networks in Ballina and Kiltimagh, both of which are now complete.

During 2005, Mayo County Enterprise Board approved a total of €437,965 to 23 projects and paid out €301,239 in grant assistance, which resulted in the creation of 53 net jobs in county enterprise board-assisted companies throughout the county. Five of the 23 projects which received a grant approval in 2005 were in the Ballina area and accounted for €82,400, or 19%, of the total grant approvals in Mayo in 2005. To date, a total of €28,579 has been paid out by Mayo County Enterprise Board.

Mayo County Enterprise Board's 2006 programme budget is, at more than €900,000, 12.9% greater than the 2005 allocation. This increase enables Mayo County Enterprise Board to fulfil its function and remit in maximising entrepreneurial development in the microenterprise sector throughout the county.

I am satisfied the policies being pursued by the agencies under the remit of my Department, together with the Government's commitment to regional development will continue to bear fruit in terms of the creation of sustainable development for the people of Ballina and of the west generally.

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