Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 299: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs created in Counties Laois, Offaly and Westmeath in the enterprise sector during the years 2003 to date in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10166/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The attached tabular statements set out the number of full time job gains in enterprise agency and County Enterprise Board assisted firms in Counties Laois, Offaly and Westmeath for each of the years between 2003 and 2007 (Agency data is collected on an annual basis; and therefore no data is available for 2008). In total throughout these counties, the enterprise agencies created 4,844 new full-time jobs over the period in question while the County Enterprise Boards assisted in the creation of 800 net new jobs in the same period.

At present in the counties of Laois, Offaly and Westmeath there are a total of thirty one IDA Ireland supported companies. The agency is committed to the development of Laois, Offaly and Westmeath and is working continuously with the existing client base to deepen the global strategic importance of the Irish operations within their parent corporations. The three counties are actively marketed by the IDA through its network of overseas offices to prospective new investors. In line with the National Spatial Strategy, the IDA concentrates its efforts on the Gateway Towns of Athlone, Mullingar and Tullamore.

IDA Ireland also works closely with education institutions in the Region, in developing the skills necessary to attract high value added employment to the county. IDA is also working with FÁS to provide guidance in developing skill sets needed by those already in the workforce who are interested in upskilling. Enterprise Ireland activity is primarily focussed on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs in manufacturing and internationally traded services companies, who are either setting up new High Potential Start-Up Companies or growing existing companies. Since 2005 EI have approved over €8m in support for companies in Offaly, over €5m for those in Westmeath and some €3m for Co. Laois firms. The aim of the financial support is to help firms grow their sales and exports and improve innovation and new product development in order that they can compete on world markets.

In 2007 a programme called the Midlands and West Enterprise Programme was launched to support high growth entrepreneurs incubate their business ideas. The programme is run jointly with Athlone Institute of Technology and the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology in partnership with EI. IT Carlow have a similar programme. Both programmes provide participants with the business skills, networks facilities and supports necessary to navigate the business start-up process.

Shannon Development has a broad economic development remit for the mid-west region including South-West Offaly. Its activities complement those of the national agencies IDA Ireland and EI, particularly through the provision of tailored property solutions for both FDI and indigenous industry. The role of the Laois, Offaly and Westmeath County Enterprise Boards (CEBs) is to provide a source of support for micro-enterprise in the start-up and expansion phases, to promote and develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity and entrepreneurship in the midlands region. Through the provision of both financial and non-financial support, such as advice, mentoring and training programmes, to individuals, firms and community groups, the County Enterprise Boards remain central in assisting many micro-enterprises in developing their growth potential.