Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 601: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA assisted jobs that have been lost and created in County Clare in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14841/07]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 602: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of site visits by IDA representatives with interested parties to Ennis, County Clare in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14855/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 601 and 602 together.

During 2006 there were twenty-seven jobs created in IDA supported companies in County Clare and forty-seven jobs lost. The Agency hosted seven site visits by potential investors to County Clare during 2006, of which one was to Ennis. Ennis is designated as a hub under the National Spatial Strategy (NSS) and is a priority location for IDA. Jobs creation and job losses are a feature of all economies as various sectors expand and contract in response to market forces.

The Agency has assured me that it is committed to the development of Clare, including Ennis, and is actively promoting the County for new investment and jobs, as part of an integrated Mid-West region. At the end of 2006 there were nine IDA supported companies operating in County Clare employing approximately 1,004 people.

IDA's strategy for the Mid West region involves:

winning new FDI in innovation driven, high value, high skills sectors,

working with their existing company base to expand their presence by the addition of increased functions of scale and increased strategic functions,

ongoing influence of tailored property solutions and the supporting infrastructure to meets the needs of inward investors, and

working with local authorities and other partners to develop and strengthen the ecosystem to help win new FDI throughout the region, including for Clare.

I am confident that the strategies and policies being pursued by IDA Ireland are appropriate in terms of maximizing additional overseas investment and jobs for the people of Clare, including Ennis.