Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the schemes used by his Department or its agencies specifically to attract technology companies to the Dublin Docklands area; the schemes that are no longer in existence which were used to attract sector specific companies since the Dublin Docklands regeneration project began; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20547/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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At present the Industrial Development agencies under the aegis of my Department use a range of schemes to attract manufacturing or internationally-traded services operations to all parts of the country. The schemes available to all such companies in Dublin Docklands are the same, and at the same aid rates, as those available elsewhere in Dublin.

For the country as a whole, schemes fall into a number of categories. Regional aid is paid, in areas where it is allowed under EU State aid rules, in the form of capital or employment grants or in the form of preference shares, and the amount payable is linked to the level of investment or to the numbers to be employed in the operation. However, since 1 January, 2007, regional aid is no longer payable in Dublin, and therefore not in Dublin Docklands. Other categories of aid are payable on a uniform basis across the country. These include grants to support Research Development and Innovation, Training grants, and SME supports such as towards the carrying out of market research or towards participation in trade fairs.

Therefore, the category of schemes no longer available in Dublin Docklands, or elsewhere in Dublin, is regional aid. The rate for regional aid in Dublin fell to 17.5% in 2000 and to 0% from 1 January, 2007.

Niall Collins (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of site visits made by agencies under the aegis of his Department with a view to creating employment in County Limerick in the years 2007 to date in 2010; the location of these visits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20550/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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There have been a total of 70 site visits made to Limerick by potential FDI investors since 2007 and to date in 2010.

The tabular statement breaks down each of these visits and gives their locations.

The IDA Mid West region consists of Counties Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary. IDA Ireland's regional strategy reflects the National Spatial Strategy, with an emphasis on the Limerick/Shannon Gateway and the hub town of Ennis. IDA Ireland's strategy for the Mid West Region is: to transition to a knowledge economy by winning new FDI in innovation driven, high value, high skills sectors; to work with the existing company base to expand their presence by increasing the number and scale of functions being carried out and by adding further strategic functions; to promote balanced regional development; to influence the provision of modern property solutions with supporting infrastructure; to work with local authorities and other partners to influence the creation of the right infrastructural environment to help win new FDI throughout the region; and to work closely with educational institutions in the region to develop the skill sets necessary to attract high value-added employment.

The Agency cooperates with the existing base of employers to encourage additional investment, particularly in activities such as R&D, customer support and back office functions. Over the past 2 years there have been 9 project announcements for the Mid-West Region of which 6 were for Limerick with a job potential of 1,173. It should be noted however that jobs announced are typically created over a period of up to three to five years. IDA works closely with Shannon Development in the provision of suitable property solutions for potential investors to the region, including Co Limerick.