Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 159: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on taking action that would lead to employment opportunities for north Meath, particularly in the tourism sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46247/08]

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 Meath County Enterprise Board (CEB) are responsible for enterprise development in the area in question. The primary role of IDA Ireland is the attraction of high quality Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Ireland. An integral and fundamental element of this role is the agency's mandate to promote sustainable and balanced regional development. However, the marketing of individual areas for FDI and jobs is a day-to-day operational matter for the agency. While I may give general policy directives to the agency, I am precluded under the Industrial Development Acts from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others.

However, I understand that the town of Navan in particular, continues to be actively marketed by IDA Ireland to potential investors. The town is well equipped to compete with other areas for FDI due to its excellent business park. Enterprise Ireland offers a full range of financial and non-financial supports to indigenous companies. In the three years 2005, 2006 and 2007, over €6.5m of funding was approved for client companies in Meath. The County also has thriving Community Enterprise Centres that have been financially assisted by the agency. These Centres foster the development of micro-enterprises, which in turn can grow into larger enterprises. Funding of over €635,000 has been approved for three locations in the County — Navan, Trim and Kells. Particular emphasis is placed on creating and developing employment opportunities and enterprise space for the unemployed.

The role of the Meath CEB is to provide support for small businesses with ten employees or fewer in both start-up and expansion phases, to promote and develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level. The CEB delivers a series of programmes to underpin this role and can provide both financial and non-financial assistance to project promoters based in County Meath. From inception in 1993 to end 2007, the latest year for which figures are available, the Meath CEB has approved almost €6 million in grant aid to some 530 projects and assisted in the creation of 1,064 net jobs in the County.

As regards Tourism, I understand from the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism that in accordance with the provisions of section 8(1)(a) of the National Tourism Development Authority Act, 2003, it is a day to day matter for Fáilte Ireland to encourage, promote and support either inside or outside the State, the development of Tourism traffic within and to the State. In addition, in accordance with the provisions of section 8(1)(b) of the National Tourism Development Authority Act, 2003, it is a day to day matter for Fáilte Ireland to encourage, promote and support the recruitment, training, education and development of persons for the purposes of employment in connection with the tourism industry in the State. Insofar as my area is concerned, I am satisfied that the policies and initiatives being pursued by the Industrial Development agencies and the CEB will continue to bring about employment opportunities for the area.