Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 139: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will host a special event in Tralee, County Kerry, together with the CEO's of Industrial Development Authority, Enterprise Ireland and FÁS to address the serious increase in the live register in County Kerry, which represents a yearly change of 67% and a monthly change of 12%, the highest in the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43551/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The recent increase in the numbers on the live register is unwelcome and is an indication of the challenges that are now facing the labour market and the economy as a whole.

The Government is taking specific measures to address these challenges and to ensure that job losses are minimised as much as possible. Our priority is to create the environment that will allow those who have lost their jobs to quickly return to the labour market. The enterprise development agencies, along with FÁS, are actively engaged in facilitating job opportunities in Kerry.

IDA Ireland's strategy for Kerry has been to promote the county as part of an integrated region with access both to the county population as well as to the expanded population of both the Mid West and South West Regions. At the end of 2007 there were 16 IDA Ireland supported companies in Kerry employing approximately 1,838 people. Based on the strengths of the region IDA Ireland is particularly targeting the ICT (incl. software), International Financial Services and Globally Traded Business sectors via its network of overseas offices and project divisions.

In Tralee, IDA Ireland is marketing Shannon Development's Kerry Technology Park. Enterprise Ireland has provided over €2m in capital as well as other supports for the development of Incubation facilities also located in the Park. IDA Ireland continues to market all available land and buildings in the county including its 12 acre Business and Technology Park at Tiernaboul, Killarney, Co. Kerry.

New indigenous companies have also been established and have created new employment in the county. In 2007 an investment of €21 million was announced under the Community Enterprise Centre scheme which will run over three years (2007-2009). It is expected to generate 330 new businesses and create over 1500 new jobs. In September 2008, 70 new jobs were announced for Aetna in Castleisland. Earlier this year it was announced that the Tralee-based company Donseed Ltd is to invest €1.2m to accelerate international growth. This investment will enhance the company's in house R&D and sales functions and create 26 new high-value positions at the company over the next two years.

In response to the changes in the labour market, the FÁS Training Centre in Tralee is currently finalising activity proposals for next year. A new range of training initiatives will be rolled out, which include a number of new short courses, of approximately six weeks duration, which will be scheduled through contract arrangements at locations throughout Kerry. These courses are aimed at providing additional skills to recently unemployed people with a view to equipping them to quickly re-enter the work force.

Additional places will also be offered to the unemployed who wish to participate in self-financing evening courses at a number of venues in the county. Also, on-line training options using a number of learning supports will be available with priority access for the unemployed.

The Government and the State development agencies, under the aegis of my Department, are fully committed to meeting the economic and employment challenges being faced in Kerry.