Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of people of employed in the manufacturing industry in County Kildare in the years 1997 to 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23188/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The tabular statement below sets out the number of full time permanent jobs in manufacturing in Enterprise Agency (Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland) assisted firms in Co. Kildare for each of the years between 1997 and 2006. This data indicates an increase of nearly 3000 manufacturing jobs or 25% over the period. Kildare has in recent years attracted some world class manufacturing companies such as Intel, Braun, Oral-B and Hewlett Packard. These companies continue to invest in the area. This is reflected in the 2006 announcement by Hewlett-Packard Financial Services of the expansion of their EMEA headquarters in Leixlip. Similarly Intel announced in 2007 its plans to establish the Technology Research for Independent Living (TRIL) Centre in Ireland. Approximately $30 million will be invested in the TRIL Centre over a period of three years and Intel will collaborate with several leading Irish universities, including UCD, TCD and NUI Galway to create one of the largest research efforts of this type in the world. IDA Ireland is also working to attract the International Services, Software, Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors.

The enterprise development agencies are committed to promoting Kildare as a location for investment as part of an integrated East Region, with access to a population base of 1.5 million people, as well as supporting and developing businesses already present in the county. In general, IDA Ireland's strategy for County Kildare is to:

Progress the development of a knowledge economy;

Encourage increased co-operation between foreign direct investment companies and third level institutions in the county; e.g University College Maynooth and the establishment of the Innovation Value Institute;

Work with the existing client base in the county to expand its presence;

Provide modern property solutions with supporting infrastructure;

Work with Local Authorities and relevant infrastructure providers to influence the delivery of appropriate infrastructure to the county.

In terms of job creation, Enterprise Ireland activity is focussed on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs in manufacturing and internationally traded services companies who are setting up new High Potential Start-Up Companies, the retention and creation of new jobs in existing companies and in enhancing the innovation capability of Ireland at national and regional levels through supporting research in companies and third level institutions. Since the beginning of 2003, EI has approved over €12m in support to companies in Kildare to help them grow their sales and exports and improve innovation and new product development in order that they can compete on world markets.

New companies — now leaders in the consumer products market — have been established and have created new employment. The consumer foods sector in particular, has shown rapid growth in recent years. Over the last two years we have seen significant investment by Green Isle Foods and Dawn Farm Foods Ltd, both supported by Enterprise Ireland, leading to significant employment increases in both of these state of the art facilities.