Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 197: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs created in County Monaghan during the period from June 1997 to date in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31919/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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State support for enterprise and job creation is channelled through the industrial development agencies. While I may give general policy directives to the agencies, I am precluded under the Acts from giving directives regarding individual undertakings, or from giving preference to one area over others. Employment data in respect of agency assisted companies is collated on an annual basis and as such it is not possible to isolate data from June 1997 to year end nor is it possible to supply figures to date for 2008. In the 11 year period from 1997 to 2007, 4,317 new full time jobs were created by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland in County Monaghan. In addition, Monaghan County Enterprise board assisted in the creation of 1,028 net new jobs in the same period.

In line with the National Spatial Strategy, IDA is focused on delivering investments to all of the Gateway and Hub locations. In the case of Monaghan, the Agency is concentrating its efforts on the county town of Monaghan and is actively marketing the town through its range of overseas offices. In addition the Agency works closely with its existing client companies in an effort to encourage them to increase and expand their operations in this country.

As Ireland competes for investments at the highest end of the value chain the concept of scale is crucial to our economic destiny. Leading corporations require a significant population of highly qualified talent, effective physical and digital infrastructure and the availability of sophisticated professional support services. If we are to make progress in attracting FDI to the regions we need to continue our investments under the NDP and all economic and social stakeholders will need to commit to the goal of balanced regional development as envisaged in the National Spatial Strategy. Future thinking and action must have a regional rather than a local bias and this requires a significant change in mindset.

Promoting entrepreneurship and facilitating the key infrastructural needs of Irish enterprise is vital to ensuring a vigorous pipeline of new business leaders, new business ideas and stability in employment numbers in Irish Industry. Strong balanced regional development and thriving entrepreneurship in all parts of Ireland are fundamental to the country's economic growth and employment prosperity. Enterprise Ireland is committed to creating and growing internationally competitive businesses, which in turn will increase employment and reduce the impact of job losses in all Irish Regions.

Through its Regional Network EI is working in close co-operation with IDA, FÁS, County and City Enterprise Boards and County Councils to bring focus and action to areas where required. EI are focused on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs 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.

The role of the Monaghan County Enterprise Board (CEB) 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. The Board supports individuals, firms and community groups provided that the proposed projects have the capacity to achieve commercial viability. Through the provision of both financial and non-financial support, such as advice, mentoring and training programmes, the Monaghan CEB remains central in assisting many micro-enterprises in developing their growth potential.