Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 164: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her future plans for job creation in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45308/08]

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 local County Enterprise Board (CEB) are responsible for enterprise development in County Kildare.

As recently as last Friday, I was in Maynooth for the formal launch of Sentenial, an Enterprise Ireland client company. This company has grown from some 30 people in a very short time to almost 70 people now and has plans to expand further.

The consumer foods sector has shown rapid growth in the County in recent years. Over the last two years, there have been significant investments by Green Isle Foods and Dawn Farm Foods Ltd, supported by Enterprise Ireland, leading to significant employment increases in both of these facilities. The agency has also supported the development of three Community Enterprise Centres in Clane, Allenwood and Athy. The objective is to enhance the development of an enterprise climate through the provision of infrastructural facilities to support the establishment and expansion of micro enterprises through local community participation. The availability of third level education facilities is a major advantage for the County. Under its campus innovation programme Enterprise Ireland has approved €2.5m towards the cost of an Incubation Centre on the Maynooth Campus.

Through its range of overseas offices, IDA Ireland is marketing County Kildare across a wide range of sectors such as International Services, Software, Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals. In addition, the agency works with its existing client base to expand and grow their activities. The agency is also working with the Industrial Training agency FÁS to provide guidance in developing the skill set needed by those already in the workforce who are interested in upskilling. At present there are 25 IDA Ireland supported companies in the County employing over 10,350 people. The agency's strategy is to promote the County as part of an integrated East Region with access to a population base of 1.5 million people.

The CEB is supporting individuals, firms and community groups where 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 CEB is central in assisting micro-enterprises to develop their growth potential. I am satisfied that the policies and initiatives being pursued will continue to attract jobs and investment to County Kildare.