John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 483: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he has taken to ensure that a task force is established in Sligo to create jobs in 2005 in view of the fact that manufacturing jobs have been lost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10052/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The live register figure for County Sligo for March 2005 at 1,995 shows a decrease of 8.74% compared to 2,186 for March 2004. The figure of 1,995 is one of the lowest in more than 12 years. While the live register is not a true record of the level of unemployment, it is nevertheless a useful indicator of the current employment trend.

During my visit to Sligo on 31 March 2005, I announced the creation of 300 new jobs in an IDA Ireland assisted customer contact centre for IDT Toucan which will be located in Finisklin Business Park. This new centre will open later this year. While in Sligo, I was informed by Lotus Automation, an Enterprise Ireland client, that the company has increased employment from 160 jobs to 226 since the beginning of the year and plans to reach 300 by the end of the year.

IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland will continue to promote County Sligo to potential investors from a variety of sectors, including medical technologies, pharmaceuticals and international services. Every effort will be made to secure further new investments for the area. In addition to targeting potential new projects, both agencies continue to work with their existing base of companies in Sligo with a view to supporting these companies with potential expansions and diversification of activities. Enterprise Ireland has also approved support to extend the business innovation centre at Sligo Institute of Technology and to develop a design centre of excellence. The Sligo County Enterprise Board provides support for small businesses to develop indigenous enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity at local level.

The industrial development agencies also work closely with Sligo County Development Board. At the board's last meeting on 2 March 2005, it was agreed that job creation and retraining issues would be discussed by its economic development sub-committee and a task force was not required. The board is best placed to co-ordinate the ongoing industrial needs of Sligo and I share the view that a task force is not required.