Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 770: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs lost and created in 2005 and to date in 2006 in County Mayo. [2360/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Employment data in respect of enterprise agency supported firms is collated by Forfás on a calendar year basis, January to December, and accordingly no data is available in respect of 2006. During 2005, 609 full-time jobs were created in enterprise agency assisted firms while 474 were lost, giving a net gain of 135 jobs for the year. Permanent employment in agency assisted companies in County Mayo at the end of 2005 stands at 6,793. In addition, during 2005, Mayo County Enterprise Board, CEB, approved a total of €437,965 to 23 projects and paid out €301,239 in grant assistance which resulted in the creation of 53 net jobs in CEB assisted companies throughout the county.

The latest live register analysis from the CSO for the 12-month period to December 2005, at 5,141, shows a decrease of 279 compared to December 2004, at 5,420, for County Mayo. 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. Furthermore, the most recent quarterly national household survey figures, for the third quarter of 2005, shows an unemployment rate for the west of 3.9%, which is significantly below the national average figure of 4.6%.

Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 771: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the interdepartmental committee looking into the employment needs of Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2380/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The interdepartmental group on Donegal, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department, has met on three occasions. The terms of reference of the group are to: identify the various local issues representing barriers to the establishment and operation of enterprises; take stock of relevant projects and actions already under way or planned; and identify measures that could be taken by the relevant Departments and agencies to support the environment for enterprise development and quantify the resources required.

I have asked the group to report to me as a matter of urgency and, when I have had an opportunity to consider its findings, I intend to bring them to Government.