John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 660: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the investment by the Industrial Development Authority and Enterprise Ireland in each of the years 2003 to 2007 in the border, midland, west, Dublin, mid-east, mid-west, south east and south west regions of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2106/08]

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 661: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the per capita investment by the Industrial Development Authority and Enterprise Ireland in each of the years 2003 to 2007 in the border, midland, west, Dublin, mid-east, mid-west, south east and south west regions of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2107/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 660 and 661 together.

Achieving balanced regional development is explicit in the core mission statement of both Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. It has been a guiding principle in the provision of Enterprise Ireland supports to client companies and in the formulation of initiatives to improve business infrastructure in the regions.

Enterprise Ireland is fully committed to assisting companies to grow and realise their full potential, working intensively with them on their business plans on a holistic basis to do so. Enterprise Ireland provides a range of supports, both financial and non-financial for client companies and institutions.

Enterprise Ireland also maintains extensive relationships with all of the regional and local development bodies and has a key partnership role to play with the country's agencies and organisations involved in entrepreneurial development.

Enterprise Ireland has approved funding estimated to be over €680 million between 2003 and 2007. This estimate is based on information drawn down from the Enterprise Ireland Client Support System Database. The approvals include funding for support to industry including R&D, and infrastructure such as Community Enterprise Centres (CECs). The estimates also include approvals to Shannon Development clients in the Mid-West over the period, as the indigenous development functions of Shannon Development reverted to Enterprise Ireland with effect from 1 January 2007.

The contribution of the FDI sector to our economic growth has been critical. Employment in IDA companies directly accounts for over 136,000 jobs or 42% of Industrial and Financial employment in the economy.

In keeping with IDA strategy of enhanced regional development, 64% of investments in 2007 were located outside of Dublin. We can look forward to securing new projects, new R&D operations and some broader research collaborations for Ireland again in 2008 from key target sectors such as Pharmaceuticals, Biopharmaceuticals, Medical Technologies, International Services, Information and Communications Technology, Financial Services and Digital Media.

I am satisfied that the policies being pursued by both Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland together with the roll out of the National Development Plan will continue to bear fruit in terms of continued investment.

Investment by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland in each of the years 2003 to 2007 are outlined in tabular format.

Approvals to the specified regions on a per capita basis for the period 2003-2007 are estimated as follows: (Note: 'Per Capita' is taken to relate to the population of the region as recorded by the CSO Census of Population in 2006).

Approvals by IDA Ireland to the specified regions for the period 2003-2007 are estimated as follows:

Approvals to the specified regions on a per capita basis for the period 2003-2007 are estimated as follows: (Note: 'Per Capita' is taken to relate to the population of the region as recorded by the CSO Census of Population in 2006).