Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 380: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he will take to ensure that Ireland remains an attractive investment location with particular reference to the need to maintain its position in attracting foreign direct investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17640/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Ireland and its regions. Today the level of FDI in Ireland, relative to the size of the economy, is one of the highest in the world. At present there are over 1,000 overseas companies with substantial international operations in Ireland, employing over 135,000 people. The challenge for IDA Ireland is to sustain, embed and grow this investment.

We have been successful as a country over the past decade but we continue to face new challenges in light of strong competition. We have to move to a more advanced level of investment, bearing in mind the higher costs and lower level of unemployment we now experience. In responding to this challenge IDA Ireland is focusing on the development of its employment base into high technology, high value added and high skill functions, including not only high-end manufacturing, but also areas such as high-end services and R&D.

The economic environment facing Ireland has changed in recent years. Irish firms are facing growing competition both in Europe and globally. We know that we cannot compete on the same basis as in the past. We need to protect our current strengths and develop new bases for competitive advantage. As knowledge and innovation become the basis for competition and economic development, important policy issues in the medium term will be developing our innovation potential, the human capital of our country and our economic and technological infrastructure.

The National Development Plan 2007 to 2013, which was announced earlier this year, details an investment of €13.6billlion in Enterprise over the lifetime of the Plan. The investment includes €7.7 billion for training and upskilling our people, €3.3 billion in Enterprise Development and €2.7 billion, as part of an overall investment of €8.3 billion, in Science, Technology and Innovation.

Ireland has now established a reputation globally as a location for advanced manufacturing, sophisticated business services and, increasingly, for leading research and innovation. Each of these areas will be of critical importance to our continuing success.

I am satisfied that the policies and strategies being pursued by the Government under the National Development Plan together with the policies being pursued by IDA Ireland are the most appropriate ones to attract and grow foreign direct investment in the country that will, in turn, maintain and grow employment into the future.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 381: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures being taken to put job creation programmes into place to bring quality and secure employment to Longford/Westmeath and to compensate for job losses due to company closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16499/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The development agencies under the remit of my Department, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, the County Enterprise Boards and FÁS (the Training and Employment Authority) have remits, respectively, in the areas of attracting and growing foreign direct investment, growing indigenous enterprises; and developing the labour market.

A range of strategies, programmes and financial incentives are in place to promote economic development that will give rise to sustainable employment throughout the country.

The strategies and programmes of the development agencies are very much in line with the National Development Plan and the National Spatial Strategy. Under the NSS, Longford/ Westmeath is part of the Midland region. Athlone and Mullingar are joint gateway towns together with Tullamore, while Longford is a hub town.

I am satisfied that the strategies currentlyin place for the development of Longford/Westmeath under these plans are the most appropriate and will lead to productive and sustainable employment for the people of the region.