Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 294: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the efforts currently being made in cooperation with Enterprise Ireland, IDA, County Enterprise, FÁS and other agencies involved in issues to do with job creation and training to address the unemployment issues in the north west and east Donegal in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23844/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that there have been significant employment developments for Donegal recently. In March 2006, I announced the establishment of a new Enterprise Managed Service Centre by AssetCo in Buncrana. The project involves an investment of €5.2 million and will lead to the creation of 130 new jobs. Also, in March 2006, I announced that Abbott, one of the world's largest healthcare companies, is to make a further high value healthcare investment in Ireland of €36 million, to establish a manufacturing facility in Donegal town which will create at least 155 high quality jobs with over 45% requiring a third level qualification. I announced 210 new jobs last September being created by Zeus Industrial Products, Letterkenny and PowerBoard, Burnfoot. These projects are being supported by the Industrial Development Agency and Enterprise Ireland.

I can assure you that the State development agencies under my auspices, IDA, EI, FÁS and Donegal County Enterprise Board, are fully committed to supporting and promoting job creation and job retention in Donegal. In addition to recent job announcements, this commitment is also evidenced by ongoing development and support by the Agencies for a number of business parks and enterprise centres in Donegal. These include the completion of the IDA Letterkenny Business Park, the provision of a 25,000 square foot advance office building at Windyhall, the completion of site development work at Ballyshannon for a new facility and also a development at Buncrana, where IDA is working with a local developer to provide new manufacturing and office buildings. In addition to providing support for nine Community Enterprise Centres in Donegal, Enterprise Ireland has also provided substantial support for the expansion of the Letterkenny Institute of Technology Business Development Centre and the development of a Marine Biotechnology Centre.

However, I also recognise that there have been significant job losses in Donegal in recent years, particularly in traditional sectors such as textiles and clothing. The Government is doing all in its power to create structures through its Enterprise Development and Training agencies, which will facilitate those who have lost jobs to gain new ones, particularly ones that offer more opportunity both in terms of skills and permanence.

This Government recognizes the particular difficulties in Donegal and is working to assist in improving the overall environment to increase the attractiveness of Donegal as a location for enterprises. In that context, I established the Inter-Departmental Group on Donegal, which is chaired by the Secretary General of my Department. I intend to announce the findings of the Group in the very near future, having consulted my Cabinet colleagues.

Finally, I can assure the Deputy that support for job creation in Donegal will continue to be a priority for the State development agencies under the auspices of my Department.