John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 6: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs announced in respect of each project by IDA Ireland for each year from 2000 to 2005, inclusive; the number of jobs actually created in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11360/06]

Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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During the period from January 2000 to December 2005, 160 announcements relating to the intended creation of 30,442 new jobs in companies supported by IDA Ireland were made. I am arranging for a statement setting out the names of the companies involved, details of the activity engaged in, location and the number of new jobs announced to be forwarded to the Deputy.

During the relevant period, client companies of IDA Ireland created 79,984 jobs. A total of 22,998 were created in 2000, 13,052 in 2001, 10,928 in 2002, 9,576 in 2003, 10,825 in 2004 and 12,605 in 2005. Of course, many of these jobs related to projects announced prior to the period in question or not announced at all. It is important to point out that there is always a time lag, often stretching over a number of years, between the announcement of new jobs and their creation. That time is required for such activities as locating and acquiring a suitable site for the company's operations, obtaining planning permission, constructing a facility, installing machinery and recruiting and training staff.

Of the estimated 80,000 created during the period in question, 14,381 related to projects announced during the period. A total of 635 were announced in 2000, 1,590 in 2001, 1,667 in 2002, 3,069 in 2003, 3,358 in 2004 and 4,062 in 2005. Given the time lags to which I have just referred, the process of creating the jobs announced will continue for some years to come.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I am glad the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Michael Ahern, got back in the action as his colleague the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, was getting overburdened.

I agree with the Minister of State on the timelag between when new jobs are announced and when they are created. Does he have a figure to indicate in accumulative terms the total number of announcements made and the total number created to date? Has he an indication as to the regional dimension of the figures?

Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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In 2000, 14,000 extra jobs were created. In 2001 and 2002, there was a fall-off of approximately 4,600. In 2003, the reduction stood at 3,630. In 2004 there was an increase of 197 and of approximately 4,300 in 2005. Multinational companies made regional locations their preference. Out of the total of 71 investments, 46 were located outside of Dublin. Some 50 research and development investment projects were supported by IDA Ireland, involving a total investment in excess of €260 million, a record in number and value and an 85% increase in value from 2004. Last year was the best since 2000 in terms of the range of quality of new investment and in the development of research capability and capacity. Approximately 40% of all new jobs in IDA Ireland backed projects earn in excess of €37,000 per annum.