Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the efforts made by the IDA to provide employment and attract foreign direct investment into County Kerry in view of the unacceptable number of job losses in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18463/06]

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. Under the Industrial Development Acts I am precluded from giving directives to the Agency regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others.

IDA Ireland assures me that it is actively promoting County Kerry and the advantages of locating in Kerry, which include a young skilled population, the presence of an institute of technology, and the availability of first class business parks and a regional airport to potential new investors and is also working closely with existing clients in Kerry to encourage them to expand their operations. In addition IDA Ireland is also working with a wide range of bodies at local level, including FÁS, to enhance the attractiveness of the county for investment.

The job losses that have occurred with the closure of Jet Environmental, Transmould and Sara Lee, are regrettable and stem from the fact that Ireland is now much less competitive in certain types of operations. Job creation and losses are a feature of economic development in all countries as various sectors expand and contract in response to market demand, competitive forces, restructuring and technological change. Despite these job losses there remains a diverse range of companies in Kerry representing a number of industry sectors such as, Engineering, Pharmaceuticals and Consumer Products. Indeed at the end of 2005, there were 1,888 people in permanent employment in eighteen IDA assisted companies in the County.

The latest Quarterly National Household Survey, dated Sept-Nov 2005, shows that unemployment in the South West Region, which includes Kerry, has decreased by some 6.1% over the previous 12 month period. Employment in the region has, in fact, increased by 6.4%, or 17,500 jobs, over the same period. This compares with the national increase of only 4.6%. In the 12 month period to April '06, the live register has decreased by -0.3% in Kerry compared to an increase of 1.9% in this period in both the South West Region and the nation as a whole.

To support and enhance the marketability of the county for new investments IDA Ireland and Shannon Development (SFADCo), which has responsibility for providing property solutions in the north of the county, are investing significantly in the provision of planned and focussed property solutions.

I am confident that the strategies and policies being pursued by IDA Ireland, together with the ongoing commitment of Government to regional development, will continue to bear fruit in terms of maximising sustainable investment and jobs for the people of Kerry.