Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 513: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of new places of employment created through State agencies in County Kildare for each of the past three years; the number of redundancies registered in County Kildare for each of the past three years; if he has satisfied himself with the position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29242/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The table that follows sets out the number of jobs created by agency supported companies in County Kildare in 2002, 2003 and 2004. These data are only compiled on an annual basis. As the requirement to notify the Department in advance of redundancies was replaced in early 2005 by a system of recording redundancies as they occur, the Department does not, as yet, have reliable figures for 2005 for such redundancies at county level.

Overall permanent employment in agency supported firms in County Kildare has increased from 8,847 in 1995 to 15,698 in 2004, an increase of more than 75% which is significantly above than the national average. The most recent live register analysis from the Central Statistics Office — October 2005 — shows a reduction in the numbers on the live register in County Kildare, in the 12 month period ending September 2005, which indicates that job losses incurred in the county in that period have been more than offset by employment opportunities in other sectors.

Over the past few years the enterprise support agencies under my Department have been mandated to adjust their support strategies to meet both the needs of society in terms of high quality employment opportunities and the needs of businesses that generate and sustain those jobs. IDA Ireland's strategy for County Kildare is to progress the development of a knowledge economy so the county can compete both nationally and internationally for foreign direct investment; encourage increased co-operation between foreign direct investment companies and third level institutions in the county; work with the existing client base in the county to expand its presence; provide modern property solutions with supporting infrastructure; and work with local authorities and relevant infrastructure providers to influence the delivery of appropriate infrastructure to the county.

Almost 60% of total employment in Kildare is in companies that are part of the technologically advanced sectors, compared to 45% nationally. While this development is welcome, new jobs are being created by established firms in the county. Green Isle Foods, for example, announced a major expansion earlier this year at its plant in Naas generating 130 new jobs. The services sector is the most rapidly expanding sector of the economy in County Kildare.

County Kildare has benefited from significant investment in recent years in technological infrastructure in NUI Maynooth. This will be the key to ensuring that the county is an attractive location for knowledge-based industry in future years. Since 2002, Enterprise Ireland has approved more than €3.3 million to support innovation partnerships between NUI Maynooth and industry. In addition to providing direct financial assistance, Kildare County Enterprise Board also provides indirect assistance such as advice, mentoring and a broad range of training programmes for prospective entrants or established participants in the micro-enterprise sector.

Kildare continues to thrive across a broad range of activities in a number of important sectors; as a result, many job opportunities are being created within the county. I am confident the strategies and policies been pursued by the enterprise development agencies will continue to maximise sustainable investment and jobs for the people of Kildare.