John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Bannon is very passionate about his constituency, which I greatly appreciate and he may be assured that I will tell this to the Minister, Deputy Bruton. As well as marketing the midlands region for new greenfield investment through its gateway of Athlone, Tullamore and Mullingar, the IDA continues to engage regularly with the existing clients in the region to assist in driving transformation and expansion opportunities in these companies, which can contribute to ensuring long-term sustainability and investment. I refer to research and development, investment in capital, technology, energy-efficient equipment and people, that is, upskilling and retraining. The majority of foreign direct investment, FDI, projects secured for Ireland are won from the existing base of approximately 1,000 multinational companies in Ireland. At present, there are 44 IDA-backed companies in the midlands, employing 4,624 people across a range of activities and centres. In addition to Ericsson, these companies include Covidien, PPD, KCI, Harmac Medical Products Limited and the NPD Group. These investments bring spin-off benefits right across the region through indirect employment and expenditure in the supply chain and indigenous supply of logistics, security, catering companies and so on. The IDA will continue to compete vigorously - I assure Deputy Bannon that I appreciate fully the manner in which he raised this matter - for both Ireland and the midlands region.

He should be assured that Enterprise Ireland's activity in Athlone and the surrounding area is focused on the creation of new jobs. The Minister, Deputy Bruton, has personally seen to this through supporting entrepreneurs to set up new high potential start-up companies. It is from the small acorn a large oak tree can grow and these new companies can be the future. As for the retention and creation of jobs in existing companies, it acts through the support of company development plans and enhancing the innovation capability of business. It is about supporting the existing companies through supporting research in those companies. Enterprise Ireland engages actively with its client companies and has a number of supports and initiatives in place to assist. In 2011, there were 95 Enterprise Ireland client companies in County Westmeath employing more than 2,100 people in full-time jobs. In 2011, Enterprise Ireland paid more than €1.4 million in financial support to client companies in County Westmeath and has paid almost €1 million this year to date. Enterprise Ireland also has supported the development of a community enterprise centre in Athlone.

In conclusion, it is important to remember that Ireland continues to be competitive in attracting new investment. More than 1,000 multinational corporations have chosen Ireland as their strategic European base and multinationals currently employ 146,000 people directly and many more indirectly. The Department and its agencies will continue to work with companies to safeguard existing jobs and to create new jobs. Moreover, the Government will continue to deliver on its commitment in the action plan for jobs, which will be an annual process setting out clear targets to be delivered each year to support job creation. I assure Deputy Bannon that any support that can be given by the IDA and Enterprise Ireland will be delivered.

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