Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 5: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the job creation projects he has in mind for the north side of Dublin. [10180/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Maximising the opportunities for employment is central to the programme for national recovery drawn up by Fine Gael and the Labour Party. Our Government plans to introduce a jobs initiative next week, which will be an important first step to restore confidence and support economic recovery. These measures will be supportive of job opportunities on Dublin's northside and throughout the country.

I am currently reviewing our jobs strategy on a comprehensive basis to evaluate how programmes can be better focussed to maximise their impact on employment. I am examining the adequacy of policy support for business start-up and expansion, particularly into export markets. I hope this will bring greater focus on sectoral opportunities in different regions and on the potential of small and medium enterprises.

There are many worthwhile programmes that are already helping to develop job opportunities on the northside. Dublin City Enterprise Board and Fingal County Enterprise Board are supporting enterprise start-up and development throughout the northside of Dublin, through the provision of both direct and indirect assistance. These two boards currently support 113 companies that employ 3,077 people on a full-time basis and 859 on a contract or part-time basis. I understand that the Dublin City and Fingal enterprise boards have already approved €337,440.00 in grant assistance so far in 2011. Enterprise Ireland has 1,055 client companies in Dublin City employing 22,235 people on a full-time basis with a further 4,187 people on a contract or part-time basis.

The community enterprise centres, funded through Enterprise Ireland, are providing enterprise space to cater for micro-enterprises in Ballymun, Coolock and Darndale. In 2005, Enterprise Ireland has earmarked €2.54 million in capital support for the construction of a campus business incubation centre at the new DIT campus at Grangegorman, as well as €158,000 towards the costs of a centre manager.

The new centre will provide the first phase of incubation facilities on the campus and will be the first new building on the site. During the lifetime of this five-year operational plan it is expected that 129 new businesses will be incubated, leading to the creation of up to 1,500 direct high-quality jobs.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.