Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 1687: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation his specific jobs strategy to address the unemployment rate in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31816/10]

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 1688: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the specific jobs strategy he has to address the unemployment rate in County Clare of those under 25 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31817/10]

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 1689: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the specific job strategy he has to address the long-term unemployment rate in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31818/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1687 to 1689, inclusive, together.

My Department has a range of strategies designed to support and grow enterprises thus facilitating the creation and retention of jobs in the economy. However, specific activation policies, or measures targeted at the unemployed or cohorts of the unemployed, such as the under 25s and the long-term unemployed, are the responsibility of my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills Ms. Mary Coughlan, through skills provision, employment programmes and work placements delivered mainly by FAS, the National Training and Employment Agency. The Tánaiste works closely with the Minister for Social Protection, Mr. Éamon Ó Cuív to deliver on the National Employment Action Plan which is designed to reintegrate those in receipt of unemployment welfare benefits back into the workforce.

In terms of the work of the Enterprise Development Agencies, according to the latest figures available, there are 120 Enterprise Ireland client companies in Co. Clare employing 1,480 people together with 177 contract or part-time jobs. Enterprise Ireland also supports the established business base in Co. Clare with a full range of financial and soft supports available to clients — these have included expansion packages, Employment Subsidy Scheme (ESS), Enterprise Stabilisation Fund (ESF), Innovation Partnerships, and Innovation Vouchers. Enterprise Ireland approved €3,165,537 to client companies in Co. Clare in 2009, and paid €1,626,557 in grants. So far this year, €1,731,524 has been approved with €1,832,292 paid in the same period.

Clare has a strong Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) base. State supported FDI companies in the county are performing well and employ over 6,500 people. IDA's strategy is to re-position the Mid West as a prime location for knowledge based industry and the agency is working closely with educational institutions in the region to develop the skill sets necessary to attract high value-added employment. In addition, IDA is working with the existing base of employers to encourage additional investment.

Shannon Free Zone is one of Ireland's leading locations for international business investment. A key goal for Shannon Development is to ensure that the Zone's global brand recognition as a core location for investment continues to grow. In addition to a wide-ranging physical regeneration of the Free Zone, Shannon Development intends to win both new and expansion investment by building on its unique and successful record.

Business growth, job creation and job retention are inherent considerations in the activities of the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs). This year, Clare CEB has continued to assist micro-enterprises throughout the county by both direct grant aid to businesses and project promoters and through the provision of a range of other important business supports such as mentoring, business training and business advice designed to help stimulate indigenous enterprise creation and boost employment creation and retention. So far this year, Clare CEB has approved grants totalling €360,350 to 27 projects with a potential for 34 jobs. In addition, 14 training programmes have been organised for approximately 350 clients.

In addition to delivering programmes through the Enterprise Development Agencies, my Department also works across Government to ensure that Ireland regains competitiveness, including cost competitiveness, thus improving the business environment and enabling companies to successfully compete internationally and grow jobs.