Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the percentage of all new jobs in greenfield projects created by overseas firms in the years 2000-04, which were sited in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21680/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment to Ireland and its regions.

In the period 2000-04, new jobs — gross gains — in County Kildare in all IDA assisted companies accounted for 5% of total new jobs in the period. In the same period, new greenfield, first-time jobs in County Kildare in IDA assisted companies accounted for 1% of total new greenfield first time jobs approved.

Employment figures in IDA assisted companies in Kildare over the last four years were as follows:

Kildare continues to thrive across a broad range of activities in the housing, commercial, services and industrial sectors. As a result, many job opportunities are being created within the county. The population of the county continues to grow well above the national average and in 2004 significant developments in overseas investment were announced, namely, the largest ever ICT investment in the country by Intel of €1.6 billion in wafer fabrication; and a €21.4 million technology development centre by Hewlett Packard.

Other overseas companies in the county such as Wyeth Medica, Oral B, Tegral Products, IFS, and Athy Concentrates continue to provide solid job opportunities. Similar opportunities are being provided by the services and local industrial sectors.