Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 640: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of itineraries arranged by the IDA of out of State industrialists between January 2002 and December 2007 in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1530/08]

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 to Ireland and its regions. The marketing of individual areas, including Kerry, for new or expansion FDI investments and jobs is a day-to-day operational matter for the Agency. While I may give general policy directives to the Agency, I am precluded under the Acts from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others.

I am informed by the Agency that in the period January 2002 and December 2007 there were a total of 15 site visits to County Kerry. Details of these site visits are set out in the tabular statement.

In line with the National Spatial Strategy, the locations of emphasis for IDA in County Kerry are the linked hub locations of Killarney in South Kerry and Tralee in North Kerry. Based on the strengths of the Region, the Agency is particularly targeting the ICT (incl. software), International Financial Services and Globally Traded Business sectors. In addition to attracting new foreign direct investment, IDA continues to work closely with its existing clients in Kerry to encourage them to expand their operations in the County.

Furthermore the Agency works closely with educational institutions in the region, in developing the skill sets necessary to attract high value added employment to the county and also works with FÁS to provide guidance in developing the skill sets needed by those in the workforce who are interested in upskilling.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 641: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of itineraries arranged by the IDA of out of State industrialists between January 2002 and December 2007 in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1531/08]

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 to Ireland and its regions. The marketing of individual areas, including Limerick, for new or expansion FDI investments and jobs is a day-to-day operational matter for the Agency. While I may give general policy directives to the Agency, I am precluded under the Acts from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others.

I am informed by the Agency that in the period January 2002 and December 2007 there were a total of 124 site visits to County Limerick. Details of these site visits are set out in the tabular statement.

The attractiveness of Limerick for inward investment lies in its position as a regional gateway, with the critical mass and infrastructure necessary to attract mobile investment to the region. The National Spatial Strategy (NSS) provides a framework for the development of the Limerick/Shannon gateway. IDA Ireland's regional strategy reflects the NSS, with an emphasis on the gateway and hub locations.

Limerick already has a strong base of foreign direct investment jobs, with 39 State supported companies employing 8,960 people in permanent jobs. Limerick's FDI employment base is dominated by the ICT sector. IDA's strategy is to re-position the region as a hotspot for knowledge based industry, while focusing on marketing Limerick as a key location for investment by building on the strengths already evident in the County.

IDA Ireland works closely with educational institutions in the region to develop the skill sets necessary to attract high value-added employment to the County. IDA is also working closely with the existing base of employers to encourage additional investment, particularly in activities such as R&D, customer support and back office functions. IDA also works closely with Shannon Development in the provision of suitable property solutions for potential investors to the county.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 642: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of itineraries arranged by the IDA of out of State industrialists between January 2002 and December 2007 in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1532/08]

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 to Ireland and its regions. The marketing of individual areas, including Cork, for new or expansion FDI investments and jobs is a day-to-day operational matter for the Agency.

I am informed by the Agency that in the period January 2002 and December 2007 there were a total of 145 site visits to County Cork. Details of these site visits are set out in the tabular statement.

In line with the National Spatial Strategy, the locations of emphasis for IDA in County Cork are the gateway City of Cork and hub location of Mallow. In addition, IDA actively promotes towns such as Fermoy, Clonakilty and Youghal.

IDA Ireland will continue to actively promote Cork and the advantages of locating in Cork, by emphasising its young skilled population, the presence of a University and Institute of Technology, together with the availability of first class business parks, good infrastructure and an international airport.

Over the past 10 years, direct employment in IDA supported companies in Cork City and County has grown from 12,449 in 1997 to 20,114 in 2007. At present, there are 134 IDA supported enterprises in Cork City and County. The sectors contributing to this growth are ICT, Pharmaceuticals/Medical Technologies and Globally Traded Business. In addition to attracting new foreign direct investment, IDA continues to work closely with its existing clients in Cork to encourage the expansion of their operations. The success of this is demonstrated by the recent expansions of several companies in the County including Trend Micro, GlaxoSmithKline, Pepsico and Sanmina SCI.