Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 319: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of companies located in Ennis and in County Clare, excluding the Shannon free zone, from 30 June 2007 to 30 June 2008; the number of employees in these companies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28779/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Employment data in respect of companies supported by the Enterprise Agencies are collated by Forfás on a county and annual basis only, and accordingly data are not available for 2008 nor can figures be provided on a town or sub-county basis. Responsibility for indigenous enterprise transferred from Shannon Development to Enterprise Ireland in January 2007. There were 2,811 people in permanent full-time employment in 132 Enterprise Development Agency (Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland) assisted-firms based in Co. Clare at end 2007.

The Government is committed to achieving balanced regional development and a key regional objective included in the NDP is to support the creation of conditions necessary to extend the process of employment and productivity growth in higher value added functions to all regions. In that regard, we have made significant progress in working towards maintaining and enhancing our framework competitive conditions, and promoting new areas of competitive advantage, by developing our R&D base, investing in critical physical and communications infrastructures and, promoting tertiary education and lifelong learning. Clearly the strategies set out in the National Development Plan, which support the continued implementation of these policies, will play a crucial role in maintaining the attractiveness of the regions as investment locations.

The enterprise agencies aim to support sustainable, high value added enterprise, in all regions through the provision of mentoring and developmental supports, the enhancement of management capabilities and critical workforce skills in client companies, support for the creation and implementation of strategies for market entry, development and growth, and strong supports for innovation and for research and development. An essential, and complementary ingredient to this strategy for the region is the agencies partnership with educational institutions such as UL, LIT, NUIG and GMIT.

There are nine IDA Ireland supported companies in Co Clare, six of them based in Ennis; all of them established before 2007. As part of an integrated Mid West region, IDA Ireland is committed to the development of Clare and is actively promoting the County for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The agency's strategy for the region involves a transition to the knowledge economy by winning such investment in innovation driven, high value sectors and working with its existing company base to expand their presence in Ireland by the addition of increased functions of scale and increased strategic functions.

In line with the National Spatial Strategy, IDA Ireland concentrates its efforts on the gateway and hub locations, of which Ennis is one. Towards that end, the development of Ennis Information Age Park has become an integral part of IDA's international marketing programme and will be pivotal in attracting new investors.

Enterprise Ireland, which supports 123 firms in Co. Clare is focused on helping client companies adopt new and innovative business models, build service elements to their business offer, develop proprietary technologies, value-added products and services, and respond to the competitive challenges of the modern economy. The agency continuously seeks to assist firms to innovate and internationalise in order to ensure long-term survival and growth.

I am satisfied that the policies being pursued by Government, together with the work of the Enterprise Development Agencies on the ground, as well as the roll-out of the National Development Plan will continue to bear fruit in terms of investments and employment in the region.