Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 256: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason the western region's share of total employment in firms assisted by State enterprise agencies has fallen over the past ten years; the way in which he intends to rectify this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21566/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Western Region consists of the counties of Galway, Mayo and Roscommon. The following tabular statement shows that total permanent employment in agency-assisted companies in the Western region has risen from 22,455 in 1996 to 28,778 in 2005. This represents a marginal increase from 9.1% to 9.6% of total agency supported employment in the region.

Support for job creation and investment in individual counties and regions is a day-to-day operational matter for the development agencies as part of their responsibility under the Industrial Development Acts. While I may give general policy directives to the agencies I am precluded under the Industrial Developments Acts from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others.

The pursuit of the national goal of balanced and sustainable regional development is also an important goal for my Department and the agencies under its remit. The National Spatial Strategy provides a framework for this goal wherein the focus is on the Gateway and Hub locations throughout the State. I have been assured by the agencies that they are endeavouring to attract new investment, encourage the start-up of new businesses, grow existing businesses and develop the labour market in the Western region. The agencies offer supports to prospective and existing employers ranging from mentoring, training and development programmes to research and development grants. I am confident that the policies being pursued by the agencies together with the commitment of Government to regional development will bear fruit in terms of investment and employment for the region.