Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 434: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his view on the impact of Cavan town's hub town status under the national spatial strategy since the national spatial strategy was unveiled; the way in which he proposes to implement the policy with regard to Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15308/06]

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 435: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his assessment of the impact of Monaghan town's hub town status under the national spatial strategy on development since the national spatial strategy was unveiled; the way in which he proposes to implement the policy with regard to Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15309/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 434 and 435 together.

Overall responsibility for leading on the implementation of the national spatial strategy, NSS, rests with my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche. In so far as enterprise development is concerned, the designation of Cavan and Monaghan as hub towns should have a positive impact on their marketability and development. Both towns are strategically located and have improving interaction with substantial urban centres in Northern Ireland.

The marketing of individual towns and counties for job creation and investment is a day-to-day operational matter for the development agencies and while I may give general policy directives to agencies, I am precluded under the Industrial Development Acts from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others. However, I am informed by the development agencies under my remit that they are actively promoting these locations for additional investment and job creation.

Following the publication of the NSS, IDA Ireland set about adjusting its regional strategy to conform with the NSS and formally adopted a gateway approach. The agency is promoting these hub towns for foreign direct investment through its overseas network of offices. Enterprise Ireland works with and provides a range of supports to its 103 client companies in County Cavan and 141 client companies in County Monaghan. In this regard Enterprise Ireland encourages and facilitates clients' investment in innovation and productivity improvement initiatives, and delivers first time exporter workshops followed by market visits for all prospective new exporters. Both Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland support the development of entrepreneurship in the regions through assistance to, and collaboration with, local authorities, third level institutions and the regional development structures and bodies.

In 2006, the Cavan and Monaghan county enterprise boards will continue to be actively involved in the economic development of the counties and will ensure that available funds are targeted to maximise entrepreneurial development throughout the locality. This will be done not just by direct grant aid to businesses and project promoters but also through the provision of a range of other important business supports such as mentoring, business training and business advice, all of which help to stimulate indigenous enterprise creation.

I am confident that the strategies and policies being pursued by the agencies in these counties, together with the ongoing commitment by Government to regional development, will bear fruit in terms of overseas investment and jobs.