Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy knows, under the EU's regional guidelines, there are huge restrictions on state aid that can be given to large companies. By and large, there is no substantial state aid. The companies can be supported in areas such as research and development or training, but the era of large grants is over. Neither is the Deputy right when she says the predominant magnet of Ireland is our tax regime. The predominant magnet is our talent and the clusters we have developed in key areas. They have become the dominant attraction. The corollary, however, is that we need to continue to develop those talent areas. There is strong demand for skills in areas of science, engineering and mathematics, which are really important.

In terms of support to Irish companies, they are not, as Deputy Daly suggests, grant aid in the form of corporate handouts. That is not the approach which has been taken. Enterprise Ireland has strict criteria.

Much of the money is competitive or is for leadership for growth. It is for companies to provide better leadership within companies or to look at their processes and improve them. It is very much focused on specific targets set by the business to grow its export and employment base. It is not a question of dishing out corporate charity.

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