Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 75: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the breakdown of employment in each county on a full-time and part-time basis for 2009; the breakdown of employment in each county on a full-time and part-time basis for each of the past ten years; the breakdown of employment for each county by sector and in relation to the type of employment for 2009; the breakdown of employment for each county by sector and in relation to the type of employment for each of the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29235/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Data in respect of employment in agency assisted companies are collated by Forfás on an annual basis and accordingly data for 2009 will not be available until 2010.

The following tabular statements provide data for the period 1998 -2008 at regional and county level in respect of Permanent Full-Time employment and Temporary Part-Time Employment in enterprise agency assisted firms. In addition, tabular data is provided showing sectoral data at county and regional level. For reasons of confidentiality, it is not possible in some cases to provide the same level of detail at sectoral level for every county.

The data shows that at end 2008 the numbers employed in permanent full time employment, in enterprise agency assisted companies, stood at 297,098 which represents an increase of almost 4,000 in the ten year period. While we have seen a decrease of approximately 20,000 in the numbers employed in manufacturing, this has been more than offset by increases in the International and Financial Services sectors.

In addition to the Enterprise Agencies, the County Enterprise Boards play a pivotal role in stimulating local economic development and entrepreneurship and in developing, sustaining and growing the micro-enterprise sector (i.e. companies employing ten or less people). The boards can assist businesses in both the start-up and the expansion phases within this sector but they must, however, give priority to manufacturing and internationally traded services. The total net full-time jobs created in CEB assisted companies for the period 1993 (when the CEBs were established) to end 2008 is 33,811.

Overall employment levels in agency assisted companies have been relatively stable during the past decade, increasing 7.5% from 1998 to 2008. Using output per employee as an indicator, productivity increased two and a half times during the same period (2007 is the latest data available) demonstrating a significant shift toward higher value activities. In principle, higher productivity generates a higher return on investment. This positions Ireland well to attract business investment in the future, which in turn generates new employment opportunities and economic activity. This is borne out by the successes of IDA and EI client companies in 2008.

Strong, balanced regional development and a thriving culture of entrepreneurship in all parts of Ireland are key strategic objectives for my Department and the development agencies under its remit. I am satisfied that the policies and initiatives being pursued by the Industrial Development agencies and the CEBs will continue to bring about industrial development and employment opportunities for the regions.