Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 378: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide assurances that every action possible will be taken to attract new jobs to Tallaght, Dublin 24; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Tallaght is the third largest populated centre here with a very young population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6310/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

While I may give general policy directives to the agencies under the Industrial Development Acts, the Enterprise Development Agencies under the aegis of my Department have put in place a range of strategies, programmes and financial incentives to promote economic and enterprise development that will support sustainable employment throughout the country.

In terms of job creation, Enterprise Ireland activity is aggressively 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 a national and regional level through support of research in companies and third level institutions. Enterprise Ireland provides a range of supports for high potential start up companies including, financial supports, business and marketing advice, mentoring and product development. Enterprise Ireland also supports the provision of incubation space for new start ups.

The Forfás Employment Survey 2006 shows that there are 347 Enterprise Ireland assisted companies located in South County Dublin providing over 11,000 full time jobs and over 1,000 part time jobs.

South County Dublin is fortunate to have world class business parks such as Citywest and Grange Castle, all located adjacent to the main centres of population. Major developments are taking place in all these locations and prospects for future quality employment in Tallaght are very good.

The role of the South Dublin County Enterprise Board (CEB) is to provide support for small businesses with 10 employees or fewer in the start-up and expansion phases, to promote and develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level throughout South Dublin, which is inclusive of the Tallaght area. Subject to certain eligibility criteria new and developing enterprises may qualify for financial and non-financial support. In 2007 full-time employment in South Dublin CEB client businesses located in the Dublin 24 region grew by 23 jobs. 128 people from businesses based in the Dublin 24 area took part in over 30 different management and capability development courses provided either directly or indirectly by South Dublin CEB. 11 clients based in Dublin 24 also took part in the Board's mentoring programme at a cost to the CEB of over €23,000.

IDA Ireland continues to work with state agencies and other stakeholders to market Tallaght and all of South County Dublin for new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as well as encouraging existing FDI to expand. Grange Castle business park continues to attract high level FDI and the announcement in November that Microsoft Corporation has selected Grange Castle as the location for its new European data centre is a further indicator of Ireland's standing internationally as a global knowledge based economy. Microsoft plans to invest $500m in the construction of the data centre and will employ up to 75 people. It is testament to IDA and South County Dublin's commitment to growing next generation businesses in the area.

I am aware that Tallaght has a very young population. People have very good supports in the schools of Tallaght and an excellent Institute of Technology. Tallaght is also supported by good infrastructure which attracts investment by foreign companies. I am confident that the strategies and policies being pursued by the development agencies under the remit of my Department will continue to bear fruit in terms of employment development for the Tallaght area.