Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 68: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a matter (details supplied) will be supported. [35226/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Enterprise Development agencies do not distinguish between individual postal districts of the city when promoting investment and jobs in Dublin. With the availability of public transport, travel to work should not be a barrier for job seeking within the greater Dublin area.

Despite the difficult global economic situation, I have made a number of significant announcements for Dublin this year concerning developments in Enterprise Development agency client companies such as AMPAC (American Pacific Corporation), IBM Corporation, Rottapharm, Paypal Europe Services, Helsinn Birex and Dublin Aerospace Ltd - a new aviation maintenance provider based at Dublin Airport which is expected to employ 226 people within five years. In general, Dublin has a unique value proposition based on its critical mass, skills offering, infrastructure and track record in winning valuable investment commitments over the years and is well placed to win further investment in the future but, in the final analysis, the decision on the location of the new enterprise or investment lies with the investor.

IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Ireland. At the end of 2008, the latest date for which figures are available, Dublin was home to 466 IDA supported companies employing 51,674 people. While Dublin has traditionally been a centre for manufacturing industry for FDI, in recent years there has been a shift away from manufacturing to a knowledge based higher value added project in areas such as fund management, e-Commerce, Software and high-end Back Office and Digital Media. In terms of FDI, Dublin has been a success story with a critical mass of population, skills pool, educational infrastructure, international access connections, business activity across all sectors and extensive property solutions for future activity.

Enterprise Ireland is the lead Government agency responsible for the development of Irish enterprise. Its mission is to accelerate the development of world-class Irish companies to achieve strong positions in world markets and to assist the achievement of productivity gains, internationalisation and export growth. Enterprise Ireland delivers a wide range of supports, both financial and non-financial, to Irish companies, targeted at the specific requirements of clients to ensure that they develop to their full potential in terms of employment, innovation and exports. In recognising the significant changes in the current economy both in Ireland and globally, Enterprise Ireland has prepared a new recovery strategy to prioritise actions to assist 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 their client base and has developed a series of proposals which deal with access to finance, winning new sales, encouraging competitiveness, continuous innovation and R&D, and development of entrepreneurship.

To assist companies in financial difficulties due to the current economic climate, I launched the Enterprise Stabilisation Fund earlier this year and €50m has been included in the estimate of my Department for this purpose in 2009. Under the scheme, Enterprise Ireland may provide up to €500,000 to viable companies with robust business models that are facing difficulties as a result of the current economic environment. The fund supplies direct financial support to internationally trading enterprises that are investing in cost reduction or other measures to gain sales in overseas markets. I have also announced a €250m Scheme to protect up to 27,400 vulnerable jobs in the economy. The Temporary Employment Subsidy Scheme will provide a subsidy of €9,100 per employee over 15 months to qualifying exporting enterprises in the manufacturing and/or internationally traded services sector.

As part of its role to develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level throughout the city of Dublin, including the Coolock, Dublin 5 and 17 areas, the Dublin City Enterprise Board (CEB) is delivering a series of Programmes to underpin this role in providing financial and non-financial assistance to a project promoter. Business growth and job creation are inherent considerations in the activities of the CEB. The forms of financial assistance available include Capital Grants, Employment Grants and Feasibility Study Grants. The provision of non-financial assistance can take the form of a wide range of business advice such as Programmes covering Business Management, Mentoring, E-commerce, Enterprise Education, and Women in Business networks.

Recent activities include liaison with the VEC in Coolock regarding a 'Start Your Own Business' programme, attendance by the CEB's Business Adviser at the Darndale Enterprise Centre committee to advise on available supports and CEB Business Adviser interaction with the Northside Partnership concerning CEB/Partnership working arrangements and the provision of services to the area. During 2009, Dublin City Enterprise Board has supported enterprise development in the area and will ensure that available funds are targeted to maximise entrepreneurial development.

FÁS currently operates an Employment Services Office in the Civic Centre, Bunratty Road, Coolock and the agency also funds the Northside Partnership Local Employment Services in the area. All job seekers, who register with FÁS and the Local Employment Services are offered assessment, guidance, other support and information, including job information, as appropriate. FÁS, whose Employment Programmes include Community Employment, Job Initiative, Supported Employment and an Employment Support Scheme, is currently targeting the Northside Partnership area, which includes the Dublin 5 and 17 areas, with a number of specific programmes.