Written answers

Tuesday, 7 July 2009

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Job Losses

12:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 128: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the full extent of job losses and job creation throughout County Kildare in each of the past five years to date in 2009 in the manufacturing service or knowledge based areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27997/09]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Employment data in respect of companies supported by the Enterprise Agencies (Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Shannon Development) is collated by Forfás on an annual basis only, and accordingly data is not available for 2009. The knowledge agenda transcends all sectors of the economy and data is not categorised on this basis. Data on job gains and job losses in Kildare County in Manufacturing and Services for the years 2004-2008 is shown in the table. This table indicates that 1,055 jobs net were lost in the manufacturing sector in the 5 year period, while there was a net increase of 310 in the numbers employed in the Services sector in the same period. At end 2008 the numbers employed in Co. Kildare in enterprise agency assisted firms stood at 14,478.

The enterprise development agencies are committed to promoting Co. Kildare as a location for investment as part of an integrated East Region, with access to a population base of 1.5 million people, as well as supporting and developing businesses already present in the county. The agencies are working closely with educational institutions in the County, and with FÁS in developing the skill sets necessary to attract high value added employment to the County and to provide guidance in developing the skills needed by those already in the workforce, who are interested in upskilling.

At present there are 25 IDA Ireland supported companies in Kildare County employing 9,837 people, and in recent years IDA have succeeded in attracting some world class manufacturing companies such as Intel, Wyeth Medica, Braun Oral B and Hewlett Packard. In the present competitive global markets, it is increasingly difficult to continue to attract such facilities, as manufacturing companies, in particular, are going to low cost destinations. Despite the downturn, Kildare remains very attractive for FDI as evidenced by the recent announcement by Hewlett Packard of the expansion of its Global Service Desk operation at its Liffey Park Technology Campus in Leixlip, which will result in the creation of 500 jobs over the next 12 months in the areas of technical support, R&D and training. A further example of the attractiveness of the County is the recent announcement of the expansion of the Oral B facility creating 100 jobs in Newbridge.

Enterprise Ireland activity is focused on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs in manufacturing and internationally traded services companies who are setting up new High Potential Start-Up Companies. Since the beginning of 2005, Enterprise Ireland has approved over €15m in support to companies in Kildare to help them grow their sales and exports and improve innovation and new product development in order that they can compete on world markets. The consumer foods sector in particular has shown rapid growth in recent years. The last two years have seen significant investment by Green Isle Foods and Dawn Farm Foods Ltd, both supported by Enterprise Ireland, leading to significant employment increases in both of these facilities.

In 2009, EI's priority is to consolidate the position of existing Irish exporters in key markets (notably UK and US), and to identify and exploit new export opportunities across the Eurozone and in other selected markets. Enterprise Ireland is focusing additional resources on the Eurozone, with the objective of helping Irish companies to win sales in these markets. A number of markets have also been identified that are less affected by the global downturn, including Brazil, Russia, India, China and the Gulf region. Enterprise Ireland Trade Missions, international buyer programmes and client promotional activities at trade fairs, conferences and exhibitions are vital in establishing presences in international markets for goods and services.

During 2008, Enterprise Ireland launched a new Growth Fund, which provides clients with funding of up to €450,000 to help them achieve greater competitiveness by investing in new equipment, implementing new processes, training staff, or hiring key managers or consultants. In 2008, a total €26.23 million was approved under the Growth Fund to support 84 competitiveness improvement projects. This fund will continue to support companies' competitiveness over the next two years.

Enterprise Agency Supported Jobs (Gains/Losses) in Co. Kildare 2004-2008
20042005200620072008Total
ManufacturingJob Gains8967977525262383,209
Job Losses-709-332-687-1,216-1,320-4,264
International & Financial Services & OtherJob Gains22422716588116820
Job Losses-100-115-32-108-155-510

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