Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 142: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she is taking to support enterprise development in the midland and western regions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44832/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Two Industrial Development agencies under the aegis of my Department, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, together with the relevant County Enterprise Boards (CEBs), are responsible for enterprise development in the areas in question.

At present, there are 47 IDA Ireland supported companies in the Midlands region, employing over 5,300 people. Enterprise Ireland has 33 client companies in the region employing over 4,200 people. During 2007, the CEBs in the region paid out over €1.48m in grant assistance to 109 clients. This assisted in the creation of 236 jobs.

There are 71 IDA Ireland supported companies in the Western region, employing over 12,500 in permanent jobs and 2,500 in temporary and contract employment. Enterprise Ireland has 26 client companies in the region, employing over 3,400 people. During 2007, the CEBs in the region paid out over €1.11m in grant assistance to 104 clients. This assisted in the creation of 328 jobs.

The Industrial Development agencies and the CEBs in the two regions are continuing to support enterprise development through the provision of both direct financial assistance (in the form of capital, feasibility and employment grants) and through indirect or soft support assistance such as management development, capability support and the development and delivery of activities to highlight and promote enterprise. In February of this year, details were announced of Enterprise Ireland's €50m fund to boost regional economic development to be delivered through Galway Mayo Institute of Technology and Athlone Institute of Technology together with 12 other Institutes of Technology. The agency has also approved support for over 30 Community Enterprise Centres (CECs) in both the Western and Midland regions. A further €2m was approved recently by EI for CEC development in the two regions. The agency also recently ran two Enterprise Start Programmes in Tullamore and Galway with a total of 60 potential entrepreneurs participating. These events were designed to promote entrepreneurship and facilitate people thinking about starting a high growth business.

Through its network of overseas offices, IDA Ireland is actively marketing the Midland and Western regions for new inward investment across a range of sectors. In addition, the agency supports enterprise development in the regions through its ongoing strategy of growing and embedding foreign direct investment activity. The agency actively encourages its client companies to add strategic functions to their Irish operations in areas such as research and development and marketing. The agency also works closely with education institutions in the regions, in developing the skills necessary to attract high value added employment and, with the Industrial Training agency FÁS, to provide guidance in developing the skill sets needed by those already in the workforce who are interested in up-skilling.

I am satisfied that the policies and initiatives being adopted will continue to bring jobs and industrial development to these regions.