Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 351: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the cities and counties where employment and job opportunities have been created over the past 10 years; the cites and counties and the number of jobs that have been created; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8299/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Forfás Annual Employment Survey is the indicator used to record jobs gained in Enterprise Agency assisted companies (Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Shannon Development) in any one year. The survey collates data on employment at county level. The following tabular statements show the number of new full time jobs created in Enterprise Agency assisted companies over the period 1997 to 2006. This data indicate that almost 295,000 new permanent full time jobs were created over the period. In addition over the same period the 35 County Enterprise Boards have assisted in the creation of 23,560 new jobs throughout the country.

Jobs in client firms of the enterprise support agencies, however, is just one component of national employment. Latest data from the Central Statistics Office (Quarterly National Household Survey) show that in the period between Quarter 2 1998 and Quarter 2 2006 employment across the economy expanded from 1.494 million to 2.017 million — an increase of 523,000.

One of my Department's main tasks is to ensure that Ireland remains an attractive place to do business, and to support the development of economic competencies higher up the value chain. In that regard, we continue to work to maintain and enhance our framework competitive conditions, including our general taxation package which incentivises both the wealth creating business community and those in, and preparing to enter the labour force. We are also working to promote new areas of competitive advantage, by for example developing our R&D base through the Strategy for Science Technology and Innovation.

The enterprise agencies also aim to support sustainable, high value added enterprise in Ireland through the provision of mentoring and developmental supports, the enhancement of management capabilities and critical workforce skills in client companies, support for the creation and implementation of strategies for market entry, development and growth, and strong supports for innovation and for research and development. Furthermore, we are continuing to pursue policies to promote lifelong learning and up-skilling to improve labour market flexibility and, where necessary, ensure that appropriate training supports are provided for workers in sectors that are no longer competitive, and who may need to find alternative employment.