Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Job creation measures in the Ennis Information Age Park, IAPE, and elsewhere are a matter for the relevant industrial development agencies and not one in which I have any direct involvement. As I indicated in response to previous similar parliamentary questions, Shannon Development's 30-acre information age park in Ennis, which opened on 9 June 2005, is in the early stages of a long-term development. The park is intended to provide a high potential start-up base for Ennis and County Clare which will also accommodate appropriate foreign direct investment companies brought to Ireland by IDA Ireland.

Shannon Development estimates that, when completed, the park has the potential to facilitate the creation of an estimated 3,500 high value jobs in more than 700,000 sq. ft. of high quality office accommodation. At present, the total space let to enterprises is 5,000 sq. ft. and more than 8,500 sq. ft. are available for letting in three units of large floor office space suitable for second stage incubation projects.

Phase one of the project involves an investment of €11 million by Shannon Development in a new InnovationWorks facility designed to fast-track the development of Irish high potential start-up enterprise. Shannon Development estimates that €110 million will be invested between the public and private sectors in the new park over the next 15 years.

Prior to the opening of the park, Shannon Development had 12 Irish industry client companies in the Clare Business Centre. All 12 companies transferred to the park when it opened because the Clare Business Centre was subsequently closed as part of Shannon Development's strategy of building a more modern business friendly incubation centre. One of the 12 companies subsequently closed. In addition to the transferred companies, three new companies formed since the park opened. The total employment in the client companies which originally transferred to the park was 17. The number of new jobs created by those 11 transferred companies and the three new companies formed since the IAPE opened is 20, bringing the total to 37. Shannon Development is confident that the early growth shown will continue to develop in the future.

In addition, Shannon Development accommodates Clare County Council which will rent 20,000 sq. ft. of office space at the park until it moves to its new headquarters next year. This is a short-term arrangement and Shannon Development has held back sufficient space to accommodate potential foreign direct investment client requirements by IDA Ireland.

Shannon Development will continue to attract and help establish high potential start-ups in the park through its venture development process. This process encapsulates the various stages of business development from idea generation, feasibility study stage, project development, market launch and business expansion and offers an integrated package of business development programmes to achieve this. IDA Ireland works closely with Shannon Development in the provision of suitable property solutions for potential investors to the county. The development of Ennis Information Age Park has become an integral part of IDA Ireland's international marketing programme and will be pivotal in attracting new investors.

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