Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 78: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs created in indigenous enterprises in each of the past five years; the number lost in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12177/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Full-time employment in Irish owned enterprises which are supported by the enterprise development agencies currently stands at 149,113; this represents a rise in employment of 5,000 over the five year period since the end of 1999. In the international context, in which we operate as an open economy, this represents a strong performance. More broadly, over the decade since 1995, there are 29,000 more employed in agency supported indigenous companies.

The enterprise development agencies under my Department have a comprehensive range of supports to help firms become more competitive, expand in new markets and grow productivity. These are consistently assessed so that new programmes or refinements to help enterprise achieve sustainable competitive advantage and expand employment are implemented as required.

Enterprise Ireland, which has the lead role in this area, offers a range of supports aimed at assisting Irish indigenous client companies to expand and compete in the international marketplace. The agency delivers a flexible set of solutions tailored to the needs of individual circumstances of Irish enterprises. The financial supports offered by Enterprise Ireland place a strong emphasis on encouraging research and development and improving the competitiveness of existing companies, supporting new company start-ups and growing exports. Similarly, Shannon Development, which has responsibility for Irish industry in the Shannon region, operates a number of programmes aimed at both established Irish industry and high potential start up companies. The main focus is on the technological and management ability of client companies, and on the ability of these companies to invest in and exploit research and development. The city and county enterprise boards, CEBs, have primary responsibility for the promotion of indigenous industry in the micro-enterprise sector. Over 30,000 jobs have been created in indigenous companies supported by the CEBs since their establishment in 1993.

In the context of developing indigenous enterprises, the opportunities that easier access to world markets offer call for marketing support programmes to be delivered to develop the verydifferent abilities firms need to acquire in developing external markets. Many of the most dynamic Irish firms have chosen to invest overseas to be closer to their customers and have actively developed global business relationships to acquire specialist skills, access new technologies or source lower cost inputs.

My Department is working closely with the development agencies and industry to develop Irish enterprises' capacity to succeed in a global market by being more innovative, smarter, quicker and more flexible. Our main objective is to minimise any negative impacts which our changing economy experiences, while also furthering the national enterprise development agenda, which is making significant progress in sustaining Irish economic growth through the systematic support of new and existing firms at all stages of business development.