Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand from IDA Ireland that the Succeed in Ireland initiative has so far created a total of 527 jobs on the ground. IDA Ireland has paid €2.069 million to ConnectIreland as a financial reward in respect of those 527 positions. It has also provided ConnectIreland with a further €150,000 for marketing support for the operation of the programme.

As payments to ConnectIreland are dependent on the number of jobs generated through the programme, the final sum due from IDA Ireland will depend on how many positions are ultimately created. This exact figure will not be determined for some time.

I have asked my Department to commission a review of the initiative. This will allow for a full assessment of its costs and contribution to employment generation in the State. Such a review may also consider the development of a new programme, including through examining the experience of similar initiatives in other jurisdictions.

The original contract underpinning the Succeed in Ireland initiative was due to expire in March 2016. In advance of that date, however, the contract was extended for a maximum period of one year. The purpose of that extension, agreed by both parties, was to allow an orderly wind-down of the programme.

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