John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 273: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of State funding allocated to inward investment projects in 2004; the funding allocated to indigenous companies in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18167/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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In respect of projects assisted by agencies under my remit, total funding paid towards inward investment projects for 2004 was €68.4 million which is a provisional figure, and for indigenous companies was €103 million. The breakdown of these figures is outlined as follows.

IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment to Ireland and its regions. The provisional figure for 2004 in respect of the value of grants paid by IDA Ireland to companies is €66 million. Enterprise Ireland has primary responsibility for the development of indigenous industry. Total Enterprise Ireland payments to client companies in 2004 amounted to €82 million. Shannon Development is responsible for foreign direct investment in the Shannon Free Zone and acts as agent for Enterprise Ireland in the remainder of the Shannon region — Limerick, Clare, north Tipperary, north Kerry and south-west Offaly. In 2004, a total of €2.4 million was paid to companies based on the Shannon Free Zone and €4.6 million was paid to indigenous companies in the Shannon region. The county enterprise boards are responsible for State assistance to micro-enterprises — companies with ten or fewer employees. A total of €16.5 million of funding was paid by the 35 county and city enterprise boards in 2004.