Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number and location of job losses throughout County Kildare in the past five years in the manufacturing sector; the number of replacement jobs in manufacturing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32380/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The table sets out the position in relation to job gains and job losses, in relation to full-time manufacturing jobs, in agency assisted firms in Co. Kildare over the period 2001-2005. Over the past 5 years, IDA Ireland's focused strategy for Kildare has been to promote the county as part of an integrated East Region with access to a population base of 1.5 million people. IDA Ireland's strategy for County Kildare is to: progress the development of a knowledge economy; encourage increased co-operation between foreign direct investment companies and third level institutions in the county; work with the existing client base in the county to expand its presence; provide modern property solutions with supporting infrastructure; work with Local Authorities and relevant infrastructure providers to influence the delivery of appropriate infrastructure to the county for example the new Millennium Park, Naas which is comprised of 3 modern 40,000 sq.ft. advance office buildings, which are available for marketing to inward investors.

Kildare has in recent years attracted some world class manufacturing companies such as Intel, Braun Oral B and Hewlett Packard. IDA is also working to attract the International Services, Software, Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors and in recent months IFS (a financial services firm) has established a facility in the Millennium Park, Naas. To support this strategy IDA Ireland is working closely with educational institutions in the County, in developing the skill sets necessary to attract high value added employment to the county. IDA is also working with FÁS to provide guidance in developing the skill sets needed by those already in the workforce who are interested in upskilling.

In terms of job creation, Enterprise Ireland activity is focussed on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs in manufacturing and internationally traded services companies who are setting up new High Potential Start-Up Companies, the retention and creation of new jobs in existing companies and in enhancing the innovation capability of Ireland at a national and regional level through supporting research in companies and third level institutions. Since the beginning of 2003, E I has approved over €12m in support to companies in Kildare to help them grow their sales and exports and improve innovation and new product development in order that they can compete on world markets.

New companies — now leaders in the consumer products market — have been established and have created new employment. The consumer foods sector in particular, has shown rapid growth over the last number of years, reflecting significant changes in eating habits and an increase in demand for convenience foods. The announcement in January 2005 by Green Isle Foods of a major €22.6 million expansion investment in the county, supported by Enterprise Ireland, is well under way and is expected to lead to the creation of 130 new jobs.

The announcement in May 2006 of a €28m investment by Dawn Farm Foods Ltd. in Naas, Co. Kildare and supported by EI, relates to the development of a State-of-the-Art meat science innovation centre together with significant investment in research and development and additional capital investment. Overall, 100 new jobs will be created, increasing employment in Dawn Farm Foods to 580 by 2011. In addition, the number of dedicated research and development personnel in the company will double from 15 to 30. In addition to providing direct financial assistance, Kildare CEB also provides indirect assistance such as advice, mentoring and a broad range of training programmes for prospective entrants or established participants in the micro-enterprise sector.