Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 22: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his proposals to encourage industrial investment in areas of rural Ireland such as Cork South-West. [18796/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Strong, balanced regional development and a thriving culture of entrepreneurship in all parts of Ireland are key strategic objectives for my Department and the development agencies under its remit. I am fully committed to creating and growing internationally competitive businesses in all parts of the country.

A key aspect of the high value, knowledge intensive FDI Ireland now competes for, is that it increasingly favours locations in or near centres of urban scale, where it has access to the concentrations of infrastructure, skills and services it needs. In response to this trend IDA Ireland Regional Strategy has to move towards an increased focus on developing a limited number of locations with sufficient scale to attract and win sustainable high quality investment that can make a major contribution to driving the development of its region as a whole.

This approach is fully in line with both the National Spatial Strategy and the new National Development Plan 2007-2013, both of which have a strong focus on concentrating infrastructure investment on a limited number of connected Gateways and Hubs. The Agency is determined to see the emergence of strong magnets of attraction in each region and has been pro-active in driving this agenda. Work is at an advanced stage in terms of delivering strategic sites and construction of a network of flagship business parks is near completion in a wide range of regional locations. Excellent progress has also been made toward delivering the IDA target of 50% of all new greenfield jobs in the BMW region. In 2006 almost 60% of new Greenfield projects, and 6 out of every 7 R&D investments (or 85%) took place outside Dublin, with a wide geographical spread of high quality investments.

Enterprise Ireland has three broad objectives with regard to its regional focus. First, to drive the growth of innovation-based start-ups in locations throughout the country, second, to develop existing client companies in all locations, third, to facilitate entrepreneurial development and the development of the enterprise environment in local and rural communities. Enterprise Ireland's policy objectives for balanced regional development are also reflected in the structure of its financial guidelines. All categories of the financial offer to Enterprise Ireland clients reflect preferential bias for companies located outside of the Dublin and Mid-East region. A higher proportion of this funding is also non-repayable.

Enterprise Ireland (EI) will continue to invest in the development of local enterprise infrastructure in areas such as Cork South West. The Community Enterprise Scheme approved 14 new community enterprise centres and 10 expansions of existing centres, with over half the total located in the Border, Midlands and West region. Five new centres and three expansions were completed in 2006. These approvals mean that EI have now supported 168 community enterprise centre projects with a total investment in excess of €40 million, making a significant impact to regional economies.

West Cork County Enterprise Board (CEB) was established in 1993 to provide a source of support throughout the West and South West Cork area for small businesses with 10 employees or fewer. The Board's function is to develop indigenous enterprise potential, support start-ups and to stimulate economic activity throughout the county. The Board can support individuals, firms and community groups, provided that the proposed projects have the capacity to achieve commercial viability. During 2006 West Cork CEB approved a total of €239,062 to 16 projects and paid out €258,297 in grant assistance to 20 projects, which resulted in the creation of 23 net jobs in CEB assisted companies throughout the region. A total of 56 training courses and events were held in West Cork during the year and over 900 participants were involved in these courses and events.

I am confident that the strategies currently in place to grow investment in jobs will bear fruit for people in the South West and the country as a whole.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he will take to ensure renewed industrial growth in County Sligo; the number of site visits in Sligo by industrial development agencies in 2006 and to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18590/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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In the period from January, 2006 to the end of May, 2007 there have been a total of 8 IDA sponsored visits by prospective overseas investors to County Sligo, of which 5 were in 2007 and 3 were in 2007. Although site visits are not a normal feature of Enterprise Ireland's promotional activity there were two site visits to County Sligo arranged by E.I. in 2006 and one such visit arranged in 2007.

County Sligo forms part of the North West Region together with the counties of Donegal and Leitrim. In line with the National Spatial strategy IDA Ireland's focus is on the Gateway town of Sligo and the linked Gateway of Letterkenny-Derry. The Agency is marketing this Region as a key location for investment in the medical technologies, globally traded business and financial services sectors, through its network of overseas offices.

Sligo has traditionally been a centre of manufacturing. However, over recent years much of this investment is going to low cost destinations such as Eastern and Central Europe and China. As a result of this locational shift in global manufacturing Sligo has experienced a number of closures and downsizings. Nevertheless there are 21 IDA supported companies in Sligo employing over 2,400 people. IDA Ireland is working closely with educational institutions and FAS in the Sligo region to identify and develop the skill-sets necessary to attract high value-added investment to the County.

In relation to job creation, Enterprise Ireland focuses on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs setting up new High Potential Start-Up Companies, the retention and creation of new jobs in existing companies and in enhancing innovation capability. During the year 2005/06, a total of 342 full time jobs were created in Enterprise Ireland client companies in County Sligo. In the period 2005 to date Enterprise Ireland has approved a total of €3.7m in support to its client companies in Co. Sligo and made payments in the same period of over €1.4m. In addition the Agency has also approved over €1 million for Third Level/Industry Partnerships in County Sligo to encourage the adoption of new technologies.

The Sligo County Enterprise Board, which provides support to micro enterprises employing less than 10 people, has paid out €258,297 in grant assistance during 2006 which has assisted in the creation of 63 net jobs. The development of the Sligo Gateway Region will be accelerated under the NDP. Through a process of collaboration involving strategic local planning, prudent national and local investment in the provision of key infrastructure, a dynamic and innovative role for the private sector and local leadership I am confident that this growth can be delivered for the people of the Region as a whole.