Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of site visits made by Enterprise Ireland or IDA to County Cork in each of 2005, 2006 and to date in 2007; the number of same in which a Minister or Minister of State of his Department participated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18601/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There were a total of 51 IDA sponsored visits by overseas investors to County Cork in the period from the beginning of January 2005 to the end of May 2007. There were 26 such visits in 2005, 14 in 2006 and 11 so far in 2007.

I engage on an ongoing basis directly in support of IDA efforts to attract inward investment to Ireland through participation in IDA promotional efforts both at home and abroad. This typically involves meeting with senior executives of companies which we are aiming to attract here or with companies who are already here and who may be considering new investment in Ireland. I also participate in and lead key trade missions overseas on behalf of Enterprise Ireland. These are the most effective and appropriate means of engagement at Ministerial level and allow for direct Government involvement in the national effort aimed at winning new business. I also support and participate in IDA's efforts to achieve the best possible regional balance in investments which is central to IDA's activities.

Site visits are not a feature of Enterprise Ireland promotional activity. Where an Irish company is interested in relocating or expanding to another part of the country, the Enterprise Ireland Office in that region will assist in providing information on premises and services available locally, or contact details for other information sources in the region. The arrangement of site visits is a day-to-day operational matter for the agencies.

There are currently 133 IDA supported enterprises in Cork City and County employing over 19,977 people. Over the past 10 years direct employment in IDA supported companies in Cork City and County has grown by over 7,500 rising from 12,449 in 1997 to 19,977 in 2006. IDA Ireland has, over the last 5 years approved new projects for the Cork area with a job potential of over 5,000 people at full operation.

In addition to attracting new foreign direct investment, IDA continues to work closely with its existing clients in Cork to encourage them to expand their operations. The success of this activity is demonstrated by the recent expansions of several companies in the County including Trend Micro, GlaxoSmithKline and PepsiCo.

IDA Ireland is also working closely with educational institutions in the region in developing the skill sets necessary to attract high value added employment to the County. IDA has developed close ties with UCC, CIT and the world-leading Tyndall National Institute. IDA is also working with FAS to provide guidance in developing the skill sets needed by those in the workforce in the region.

IDA continues to invest significantly in the development of its utility intensive sites and Business and Technology Parks in the County and continues to actively promote all available land and buildings. The Agency works closely with local developers and service providers to ensure the provision of top quality infrastructure and services.

Enterprise Ireland, in collaboration with the Cork City and County Enterprise Boards, focuses its activity on employment development through supporting entrepreneurs setting up new businesses, the creation of new jobs, the retention of jobs in existing companies and in enhancing the innovation capability of Ireland through support of research in companies and third level institutions.

In 2006, Enterprise Ireland approved over €18m and made payments of almost €9m to client companies in County Cork. This includes support for 14 High Potential Start-Up companies. To date in 2007 Enterprise Ireland has approved a total of €1,164,027 to EI clients in County Cork.

Enterprise Ireland also supports the third level colleges in the regions to foster links with industry thereby encouraging industry to increase its use of technology.

Under the EI Innovation Partnership and Commercialisation of Research Programme, Enterprise Ireland has, since 2004, approved over €14m and made payments of over €9.9m to third level colleges in County Cork for research projects with industry.