Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 66: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of job losses and new jobs created by job creation agencies in County Louth by location for each year for the past five years; the amount of money invested in job creation; the amount of land zoned for employment by location in County Louth for each of these years; her plans to attract new employment to the county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34983/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The State Development agencies, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, and the Louth County Enterprise Board are responsible for job creation in County Louth.

Since 2005 and up to 31st August 2009, Enterprise Ireland has paid almost €9 million in grants to its client companies in County Louth. In the period from 2004 to 2008, IDA Ireland paid a total of €2,921,960 in grants to its client companies.

The Forfás Annual Employment Survey publishes details of job losses and gains in companies supported by IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. Data is compiled on an annual basis and is aggregated at County level. It is therefore not possible to provide information for individual locations throughout the County. The number of jobs created by IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland supported companies in County Louth and subsequent job losses for each year from 2004 to 2008 is set out in the attached tabular statement.

In relation to the Louth County Enterprise Board, my Department does not collect or retain information on the number of specific job losses in CEB assisted companies at county or sub-county level. A breakdown of grants issued, projects assisted and net jobs created is also contained in the following tables. The figures in respect of net jobs are based on the Annual Survey of jobs in CEB sponsored companies, excluding jobs existing prior to CEB assistance. Data is collated on the yearly net increase or decrease in the number of full-time equivalent jobs created in CEB assisted companies. The figures in respect of net jobs created for 2009 will not be available until early 2010.

Enterprise Ireland has prepared a new recovery strategy to identify the actions that will be undertaken to help clients in 2009 and beyond. The agency has refocused its efforts on strengthening and sustaining companies of strategic importance through a range of initiatives focused on the needs of their client base. In relation to County Louth, a new Enterprise Ireland funded Border Enterprise Development programme was launched in March 2009 in which mentoring, training, incubation space and Commercialisation of Research and Development funding will be available to successful projects. As part of the Enterprise Start Programme, Enterprise Ireland recently held an information session in Dundalk highlighting the supports available for potential entrepreneurs and a two-night workshop for entrepreneurs will be held in Dundalk in October 2009.

In addition to providing grant aid, IDA Ireland also provides a range of property solutions to client companies. In the period 2004 to 2008, IDA has invested a total of €31,491,518 on the purchase and development of suitable sites at various locations in County Louth.

Louth County Enterprise Board remains central in assisting many micro-enterprises in developing their growth potential and continues to be proactive in ensuring that available funds are targeted to maximize entrepreneurial development throughout 2009.

I am satisfied that the policies and initiatives being adopted by the State Development agencies and the Louth County Enterprise Board will continue to drive job creation in the County.