Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 138: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of visits by IDA Ireland personnel with potential investors to a town (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she is satisfied that there is a reasonable balance in the promotion of this town by the IDA as compared to the major urban centres in the county. [2393/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I have been informed by IDA that during 2009, there has been 1 site visit by potential investors to Ballinasloe.

As part of its strategy to attract inward investment, IDA Ireland introduces a prospective client company to 3 or 4 selected locations, which can meet the company's requirements for skills, labour, site and/or building(s), and infrastructure. In selecting locations to show companies, IDA Ireland seeks to include locations which have been affected by closures/job losses. The Agency also gives priority to the Border, Midlands and West regions. While IDA seeks to influence the selection of location, the final decision on location is taken in all cases by the promoting company.

In the present competitive global market, as Ireland competes for new investments at the highest end of the value chain, the concept of scale is crucial to our economic destiny. Leading corporations require a significant population of highly qualified talent, effective physical and digital infrastructure coupled with availability of sophisticated professional support services. If we are to continue being successful in realising a large proportion of our investments outside of the larger cities, all economic and social stakeholders will need to adhere to the framework on which the National Spatial Strategy is constructed.

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 139: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA Ireland-assisted jobs which were provided in County Galway, outside Galway city, for each of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009; the location of these jobs; the years in which they were provided; the number of IDA jobs announced during each of these years that have not yet been put in place or been realised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2394/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Forfás Annual Employment Survey reports on job gains and losses in companies that are supported by the industrial development agencies. Data is compiled on an annualised basis and is aggregated at county level. It is therefore not possible to provide information for individual locations throughout the country. The survey shows that in the three-year period, 2007 to 2009 inclusive, there were a total of 1,448 new jobs created in IDA supported companies in Galway. Details of the number of new jobs created in each of those years are set out in the attached tabular statement.

During that same period a total of 16 announcements with a potential to create in the region of 800 new jobs in IDA Ireland supported companies in Galway were made. There were 6 IDA announcements relating to Galway in 2009 and 5 announcements in each of the years 2007 and 2008.

It is important to point out that there is always a time lag, often stretching over years, between the announcement of new jobs and their creation. That time is required for activities such as locating and acquiring a suitable site for the company's operations, constructing a facility and installing machinery as well as the recruitment and training of staff.

Of course, the numbers of jobs eventually created may turn out to be higher or lower than originally envisaged by the investing company as a result of developments in their product markets, general economic conditions, investment decisions and overall corporate strategy. In addition it must be pointed out that some job creation projects go ahead without an announcement being made.

New jobs created in IDA-supported companies in County Galway in each of the years 2007, 2008 & 2009

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 140: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of grant aid provided by IDA Ireland for job creation and assistance towards site and facilities provision in Galway city and separately in County Galway for each of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009; the country or origin of the beneficiaries of this aid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2401/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by IDA Ireland that an amount of €30,858,739 was paid in grant aid to its client companies in County Galway (both City and County) in the three-year period 2007 to 2009. The companies that availed of such grants were from USA, UK and Japan. Details in respect of each year are set out in the tabular statement.

In the same period the Agency spent a total of €45,910m in site acquisition and development.

In the time available it has not been possible to provide a breakdown of these figures as between city and county, but I have asked the Agency to forward the information to you directly in due course.

Grant Aid paid to IDA client companies in Galway city and county in each of the three years 2007, 2008 & 2009

Amount spent by IDA in site acquisition and development in Galway city and county in each of the three years 2007, 2008 & 2009