Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy O'Connor for raising this matter. I was disappointed to hear about the further job losses announced last Monday at a company in Tallaght, coupled with the previous announcement of job losses at Jacob's. It is obviously disturbing news for the community. I commend the Deputy on continually highlighting the need for job creation in the Tallaght area generally.

While I am conscious of the effect that job losses have on the workers involved, their families and the local community, I assure the House that State agencies will make every effort they can to develop new employment opportunities for Tallaght. The role of FÁS, the industrial training agency, is especially important in assisting those who lose their jobs. The agency has written already to the company that announced the job losses last Monday advising of the services available to the company and its workforce. The agency is prepared to offer its full range of services to any employees who lose their jobs and wish to avail of its services.

When such job losses are announced, the State development agencies — Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, FÁS, the South Dublin County Enterprise Board and the South Dublin County Development Board — adopt a co-ordinated approach in dealing with the situation and in making the workforce aware of supports available to assist in finding new employment or to start their own businesses.

I am confident that the strategies and policies being pursued by the State development agencies will continue to drive investment, enterprise development and job creation in Tallaght. In terms of job creation, Enterprise Ireland's activity is focused on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs in manufacturing and internationally traded service companies that are setting up high potential start-up companies. The agency also supports the provision of incubation space for new start-up companies and works toward enhancing the innovation capability in its client companies through the support of research both in companies and in third level institutions. In addition, the agency also focuses on the retention and creation of new jobs in existing companies.

Since the beginning of 2004, Enterprise Ireland has made payments of more than €8.7 million to companies in south County Dublin to enhance their capacity, capability and performance. Working in partnership with the local community, Enterprise Ireland has approved support for the development of community enterprise centres. These are located in Bawnogue, Neilstown, Whitestown, Main Road — Tallaght, Bolbrook, Avonbeg, Brookfield and Killinarden. The M50 enterprise platform programme is under way in Tallaght's institute of technology, in conjunction with Blanchardstown Institute of Technology and Dublin City University. This is a one-year rapid incubation programme designed for entrepreneurs who wish to start their own business. The agency also works closely with the Institute of Technology, Tallaght in encouraging the commercialisation of research and has approved financial support of more than €2.6 million to the institute for the development and management of a campus-based incubation centre.

At present, IDA Ireland's strategy is to progress the development of a knowledge economy so that we can compete internationally for foreign direct investment. The agency continues to work with its existing clients to develop their businesses further and provide world class property solutions with supporting infrastructure.

Tallaght and south-west Dublin is actively promoted and marketed by IDA Ireland to potential investors and is well equipped to compete with other areas for potential foreign direct investment. The attractions of the area include a third level institute and excellent infrastructural facilities at Citywest and Grangecastle. The further development of the business parks at Citywest and Grangecastle will ensure the area remains an attractive location for investment, particularly foreign direct investment.

The announcement in November last that Microsoft Corporation had selected Grangecastle as the location for its new European data centre reflects Ireland's standing internationally as a global knowledge based economy. It also demonstrates the commitment of IDA Ireland to growing next generation businesses in south-west Dublin and is evidence of the suitability of the area for world class investments. In addition, the pharmaceutical company, Wyeth Biopharma, has established the world's largest biopharma campus facility in Grangecastle, currently employing more than 1,300 highly skilled people. Wyeth also recently announced its intention to invest an additional €24 million in the creation of dedicated research and design facilities at its Grangecastle campus. It is important that we continue to attract high-end knowledge based jobs, particularly in research and development.

I am confident that the strategies and policies being pursued by the State development agencies in Tallaght will continue to support enterprise development and provide employment opportunities in the area. I reiterate that the State agencies will continue to work closely with each other and with local interests to provide an integrated approach to increasing the flow of potential investors and promoting job creation in Tallaght. Deputy O'Connor outlined some of the fine facilities in Tallaght. I assure him we are conscious of the need to support this area of rapid population growth, with a high proportion of young people and a highly motivated community. I am confident that the supports we are providing and the investment potential that exists will ensure there are plenty of job opportunities for people in Tallaght. I commend Deputy O'Connor on continually highlighting the need not only for job creation but for investment in training, education and the upskilling of the workforce. All this will have a positive impact in the coming years.

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