Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 241: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures being taken to encourage new industry into a county (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26998/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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State support for enterprise and job creation is channelled through the industrial development agencies. While I may give general policy directives to the development agencies, I am precluded under the Industrial Development Acts from giving directives regarding individual industrial undertakings, or from giving preference to one area over others.

Through its range of overseas offices, IDA Ireland is actively promoting Co. Wexford for new and expansion investments. In line with the National Spatial Strategy, the Agency is concentrating its resources on the hub town of Wexford, as the location with the greatest potential to develop first class facilities for attracting overseas industry. At present in County Wexford, there are over 1,900 people working in 11 IDA supported companies. The Agency is actively engaged with its existing base of manufacturing companies in the County highlighting the importance of upskilling/reskilling and the need to add high-value activities in order to ensure their development and sustainability for the long-term.

Enterprise Ireland is committed to delivering on its regional mandate and continues to support the development of entrepreneurship in the region in collaboration with other State agencies and educational establishments. In terms of job creation, the Agency's activity is focused 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 the innovation capability of Ireland at a national and regional level through support of research in companies and third level institutions. Enterprise Ireland has 163 client companies in County Wexford, which employ a total of 3,603 people.

The Wexford County Enterprise Board (CEB) assists micro enterprises in the county and, during 2006, the Board grant-aided 28 projects resulting in the creation of 36 jobs.

I am satisfied that the co-operation between the State agencies, together with the roll out of the National Development Plan 2007-2013, will continue to bear fruit in terms of job creation and investment for the people of Wexford.