Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 317: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of visits the IDA have made to Trim, Co. Meath, for a progress report on the creation of employment opportunities for Trim by his Department and any agency under his control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26832/06]

Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 318: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of visits the IDA have made to Athboy, Co. Meath, for a progress report on the creation of employment opportunities for Athboy by his Department and any agency under his control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26833/06]

Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 319: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of visits the IDA have made to Kells, Co. Meath, for a progress report on the creation of employment opportunities for Kells by his Department and any agency under his control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26834/06]

Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 320: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of visits the IDA have made to Navan, Co. Meath, for a progress report on the creation of employment opportunities for Navan by his Department and any agency under his control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26835/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 317 to 320, inclusive, together.

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 Acts from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others.

I have been assured by the agencies under the remit of my Department that they are endeavouring to attract new investment, encouraging the start-up of new businesses, helping to grow existing businesses and developing the labour market in county Meath. I have been informed by IDA Ireland that during 2005 there have been eleven site visits to County Meath, ten to Navan and one to Trim. No visits are recorded for Athboy or Kells during 2005.

I understand from the Agency that its itinerary visits have concentrated on Navan in 2005/2006. The Agency has 70 acres of serviced industrial land in Navan Business Park and has targeted the town as the sole East Region priority or target location for ICT projects in 2006. IDA's strategy for Meath is to target Greenfield and Expansion projects in Financial Services, International Services and ICT. Six IDA projects are located in the Business Park and at the end of 2005 there were 1,200 people employed in 17 IDA supported companies in County Meath.

Enterprise Ireland, the agency charged with the development of indigenous industry, informs me that currently there are 4,242 people employed in 170 Enterprise Ireland supported firms in County Meath. Enterprise Ireland has a wide range of supports for start up companies. As part of its new strategy, Enterprise Ireland is working more intensively with High Potential Start-Up companies (HPSUs) at their initial start up phase, in order to accelerate their growth, help build management capability, and provide direct financial support. In addition, they are further developing EI supported seed and venture capital funding. Through its overseas network, EI is assisting HPSUs to develop their exports.

Enterprise Ireland continues to work with companies in its portfolio to assist them grow their sales and exports and improve innovation in order that they can compete on world markets. Since the beginning of 2003 Enterprise Ireland has approved over €7m and paid over €5m in support to its client companies in County Meath. It is interesting to note that in recent years a number of Enterprise Ireland supported companies have moved their expansions to Co. Meath. Lir Chocolates relocated from Dublin city centre to the Navan Business Park while the manufacturers of 'Tayto Crisp' has moved from Coolock to the Largo Foods plant at Kilbrew. Enterprise Ireland has approved funding of over €635,000 in support of Community Enterprise Centres at three locations in the county — Navan, Trim and Kells. The County Enterprise Centre in Navan also services the town of Athboy

Meath County Enterprise Board (CEB) was established in 1993 to provide a source of support for small businesses with 10 employees or less. In 2005 Meath CEB approved a total of €407,664 to 20 projects and paid out €297,949 in grant assistance, which resulted in the creation of 92 net jobs in CEB assisted companies throughout the County. Meath CEB provides a range of management training services to the micro-enterprises in order to assist the ongoing enhancement of their business management capabilities and in 2005, 831 people participated in training courses run by Meath CEB.

I would like to point out that in both 2005 and again in 2006 a special financial provision has been made available to Meath CEB specifically to cover the Board's commitment to the Kells Enterprise Centre.