Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 92: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures she will introduce to create employment at this time; her plans in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27096/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am very much aware that the key to creating employment is to provide the necessary support to the enterprise sector. In this regard, the Government made provision in the recent Supplementary Budget for in excess of €500 million for capital investment in enterprise. In doing so, the Government has prioritised investment in the most productive sectors of our economy and is investing in the creation of jobs by cementing the foundations of export led recovery and growth.

The main focus of IDA Ireland on securing inward investment is from new and existing clients in the areas of high-end manufacturing, global services, research and development and innovation. The agency is working with its existing client base to further embed their investments in Ireland. It has an active programme of engagement with its clients to identify and target new investment opportunities from them. The agency continues to assist its client companies to move up the value chain in terms of both carrying out higher skilled operations and expanding their presence in Ireland. These activities are aimed at improving the quality of employment opportunities in Ireland.

Enterprise Ireland has prepared a new recovery strategy to identify the actions that will be undertaken to help clients in 2009. The agency has refocused its efforts on strengthening and sustaining companies of strategic importance through a range of initiatives focused on the needs of its client base. In identifying the short term issues, the agency has developed a series of proposals which deal with access to finance, winning new sales, encouraging competitiveness, continuous innovation / research and development and development of entrepreneurship. The medium term focus of the revised strategy is to continue to drive a sound, sustainable, competitive export-oriented indigenous sector. I also recently announced the Enterprise Stabilisation Fund which will enable internationally trading companies survive the current global downturn by supporting their drive to reduce costs and gain sales in overseas markets. Sustainable economic recovery will be driven by enterprises focused on increasing their exports of innovative products and services in global markets.

The County and City Enterprise Boards provide support for small businesses with ten employees or fewer in the start-up and expansion phases. The CEBs promote and develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and stimulate economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level, with priority being given to manufacturing and internationally traded services. The Boards recognise that business growth and job creation are inherent considerations in their activities. They deliver a series of programmes to underpin this role and can provide both financial and non-financial assistance to a project promoter.