Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

The enterprise development agencies under the remit of my department provide a suite of support measures and interventions that help to support job creation and job retention across the country as a whole, including County Kerry. The overall mix of incentives varies from fiscal policies, such as the 12.5% corporate tax rate that all companies can avail of, to targeted supports or incentives designed to stimulate specific types of business activity. These incentives include funding for certain capital investment, job creation, research and development, training, marketing, and management development. The focus of Enterprise Ireland support, in collaboration with the county enterprise board, is on measures to promote high potential start-up companies, increase productivity, develop management and international sales capabilities, facilitate access to equity and finance and to support entrepreneurship and micro-enterprise.

As regards the specific issues raised by the Deputy, since the announcement by Aetna to close its facility at Castleisland on a phased basis by the end of 2011, IDA Ireland has worked to attract other international financial services operations into the region. In addition, IDA Ireland has worked with Aetna to construct a prospectus setting out the skills and capabilities of the workforce and a profile of the Castleisland facility, which IDA is using as part of its efforts to attract alternative employment to Castleisland. IDA has highlighted the skills and capabilities of the Aetna workforce to a number of relevant investors. While several initial expressions of interest have been identified, IDA continues its efforts to attract genuine prospects to Castleisland.

IDA has been successful in attracting JRI America Incorporated, a subsidiary of Japanese financial services company Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group to locate in the Kerry Business Park in Tralee, County Kerry. The company announced plans in September to establish a software development operation in Tralee, which will create up to 100 highly skilled positions over the next few years with recruitment already under way for several positions.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

Officials from all three enterprise development agencies, IDA, Enterprise Ireland and Shannon Development have been in negotiations with Global Pharmaceutical Centre of Excellence, GPCE, at various stages since the this project was first announced. I understand that all the agencies have agreed a collaborative approach whereby GPCE would receive whatever comprehensive support is available. I am informed that Enterprise Ireland, which is willing to support any viable business proposition, is awaiting a new business plan from the promoters of GPCE while IDA has commenced discussions with one company proposed by GPCE. As regards the Pretty Polly site in Tralee, this site is the property of Tralee Town Council and not IDA. I understand that IDA is endeavouring to source a suitable prospective tenant for the building and is working with the town council on the detailed specification of the buildings to assist with the efforts.

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