Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 80: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the proposal to close a club (details supplied) in County Tipperary; her views on whether the services provided by this organisation are vital to the community of the town; if she will intervene to stop this closure going ahead; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31639/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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When FÁS completed its annual review of the jobs club programme in early 2008, I understand that it raised concerns about the capacity of Carrick-on-Suir jobs club to meet the agreed targets. Representatives of the club were advised by FÁS that funding would be discontinued if no progress was made towards achieving the targets. FÁS has since indicated that there is insufficient evidence of progress in meeting the targets. It has asked the directors of the jobs club and other interested parties to convene meetings with community interests in Carrick-on-Suir to determine what alternative programmes would attract potential participants and address the needs of unemployed people in Carrick-on-Suir. FÁS expects to be able to discuss such proposals with the board of the jobs club before the end of September. FÁS is supporting a wide range of other programmes such as a local employment service, community employment projects and contracted training in Carrick-on-Suir, to the value of over €1 million. It is committed to funding and supporting agreed programmes in Carrick-on-Suir.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 81: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposals her Department has to attract companies to set up in north Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31741/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Industrial Development agencies continue to promote North Tipperary for investment and job creation. The strategy that has been adopted involves a transition to the knowledge economy aimed at winning new foreign direct investment in innovation driven, high value and high skill sectors. On the indigenous front, the focus is on the creation of new high potential start up companies. One of the key elements for success is having quality business facilities available. Shannon Development and IDA Ireland continue to work on the provision of suitable property solutions for potential investors. The development of Tipperary Technology Park is an integral part of IDA Ireland's international marketing programme. Shannon Development also has Business Parks in Roscrea and Nenagh and sites are being developed in Templemore and Archerstown, Thurles. The Thurles Marketing Group is continuing with its marketing initiative which is part of the County's Economic and Cultural Strategy up to 2012. The focus of the marketing initiative is to promote Thurles as a location for business investment, not only for foreign direct investment, but also for indigenous investment. I am confident that the strategies and policies being pursued by the Industrial Development agencies in conjunction with local interests will continue to be successful in attracting investment and jobs to North Tipperary. The agencies will, of course, continue to work with their existing clients in this regard as well.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 82: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs that have been lost and created in north Tipperary since January 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31758/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Employment and unemployment are measured by the Quarterly National Household Survey and published by the Central Statistics Office. As it is devised on a regional basis, it does not provide a breakdown for specific areas such as north Tipperary. The most recent Quarterly National Household Survey, for Quarter 2 of 2008, March to May, indicates that employment in the mid-west region, which includes north Tipperary, has decreased by 500 and unemployment has increased by 1,400 people since Quarter 1, December 2007 to February 2008. The Live Register provides monthly data for specific areas including north Tipperary, but it is not designed to measure unemployment. It includes part-time, seasonal and casual workers entitled to unemployment benefit. The number of people signing on the Live Register in north Tipperary increased by 1,294 for the first eight months of 2008. This trend is in keeping with what is happening in other regions/areas in the country.