Written answers

Tuesday, 28 March 2006

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Job Creation

11:00 pm

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 278: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs which have been created by Enterprise Ireland (details supplied) in each of the years from 1995 to 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12121/06]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 282: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs which Enterprise Ireland has created in New Ross, County Wexford in each of the years from 1995 to 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12126/06]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 283: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs which Enterprise Ireland has created in the Enniscorthy district, County Wexford in each of the years from 1995 to 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12127/06]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 284: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs which Enterprise Ireland has created in the Wexford district, County Wexford in each of the years from 1995 to 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12128/06]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 282 to 284, inclusive, together.

The issue of job creation in Enterprise Ireland supported companies is a day-to-day matter for the agency itself, and not one in which I am directly involved. The Forfás annual employment survey is the indicator used to record jobs gained and lost in Enterprise Ireland in any one year. Figures are published for the previous year on a cumulative basis at the beginning of the following year. However, this survey collates data on employment at county level. There is no mechanism in place to identify employment statistics at a sub-county level. The Forfás employment survey for 2005, giving figures for the period 1996-2005, is now complete and will be published in the coming months.

Figures indicate that the total number of full-time jobs created in client companies by Enterprise Ireland and its predecessors in County Wexford in the period 1996 to 2005 amounts to 3,475. On an annual basis, the figures are as follows: 1996: 302 new jobs; 1997: 366; 1998: 303; 1999: 346; 2000: 405; 2001: 371; 2002: 416; 2003: 523; 2004: 178; and 2005: 265. Enterprise Ireland's job creation activity is focused on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs setting up new high potential start-up companies, the retention and creation of new jobs in existing companies and in enhancing the innovation capability of Ireland at a national and regional level through support of research in companies and third level institutions. Enterprise Ireland approved funding of over €5.4 million and made payments of over €4.9 million to client companies in County Wexford in the period 2003 to date to assist them with development projects.

The development of community based enterprise centres is a crucial part of the drive to create new regional enterprise. Enterprise Ireland has paid in excess of €650,000 in support of the development of community enterprise centres in Tagoat, Wexford, Enniscorthy and New Ross in County Wexford. In addition almost €60,000 has been approved in support of management development in these centres.

The centres in Wexford and Enniscorthy have been very successful and are fully occupied at present. I am informed that the centre at Tagoat was not commercially viable, and the centre at New Ross was sold by the local management committee. Feasibility funding of €6,350 was provided for Gorey. However, I understand that the decision of the community in Gorey, at the completion of the feasibility study, was to allow private investment drive the provision of incubation space in the area.

As part of its regional development role, Enterprise Ireland works with other agencies in County Wexford to develop the local business infrastructure. During the month of April 2006, Enterprise Ireland, in association with Wexford County Enterprise Board and the South East Business Innovation Centre, will be hosting a First Steps event in Wexford. This programme aims to stimulate interest in entrepreneurship in the county. If there is sufficient interest in the First Steps programme, a 12-session programme called Enterprise Start will then be run in the county.

Another Enterprise Ireland initiative to foster start-up companies includes support for the south-east enterprise platform programme run by Waterford Institute of Technology with expertise from Waterford Institute of Technology, Tipperary Institute and external consultants. Graduates are expected to go on to set up new businesses in the region following the programme. Four candidates from County Wexford are participating in the 2005-06 programme. The programme will continue to be promoted in all of the south-east during the coming year.

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs the IDA has created in New Ross, County Wexford in each of the years from 1995 to 2005. [12122/06]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs which the IDA has created in Enniscorthy, County Wexford in each of the years from 1995 to 2005. [12123/06]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 281: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs which the IDA has created in Gorey, County Wexford in each of the years from 1995 to 2005. [12124/06]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 279 to 281, inclusive, together.

IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment to Ireland and its regions. The Forfás annual employment survey records jobs gained and lost in companies supported by the industrial development agencies. Data are compiled on a county by county basis only. The following tabular statement sets out the number of new jobs created in IDA supported companies in Wexford in each of the years from 1995 to 2005. IDA Ireland is actively marketing the region to potential investors through its overseas network of offices. The agency is also working with infrastructure and utility providers, as well as the educational institutions, to make the county a more attractive location for attracting investment and jobs.

County Wexford
New jobs created in IDA supported companies in each year from 1995 to 2005, inclusive.
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
186 229 139 123 82 152 78 173 134 333 69
Source: Forfás Annual Employment Survey.

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