Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 301: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the efforts being made in respect of the job creation needs of Tallaght, Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34296/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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At present, there are over 350 Enterprise Ireland client companies in South Dublin employing almost 12,000 people. So far this year, Enterprise Ireland has paid out over €9 million to client companies in South Dublin including Tallaght. The agency has been actively engaged with its client companies in the region and has a number of supports and initiatives in place to assist them including grants to industry, Enterprise Stabilisation Fund, technology acquisition grants, management development, seed and venture capital funds, research and development funds, jobs expansion fund and several others.

Business growth and job creation are inherent considerations in the activities of the South Dublin County Enterprise Board (CEB) in promoting and developing indigenous micro-enterprise potential and stimulating economic activity and entrepreneurship in South Dublin, which includes the Tallaght area. The forms of financial assistance available include priming grants, expansion/development grants and feasibility/innovation study grants. During 2010, South Dublin CEB has continued to assist micro-enterprises throughout the area by both direct grant aid to eligible businesses and also 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 to boost employment creation.

Currently, there are 482 IDA Ireland-supported companies in Dublin City and County employing more than 47,000 people. More than 2,500 new jobs have been created by new and existing IDA-supported companies in Dublin City and County to date in 2010. Through its network of overseas offices, IDA is actively promoting Tallaght and South Dublin to potential overseas investors. There have been a number of visits by potential investors, some which are expected to come to fruition this year. In addition, IDA Ireland works closely with its existing client companies in South Dublin, encouraging them to take on additional valued added activities and to expand their operations in the county. In May of this year, SAP commenced recruitment of 75 additional jobs at its City West facility, bringing the employment figure to over 1,000 at the campus.

Tallaght and South Dublin are well equipped to compete with other areas for potential foreign direct investment, with superb infrastructure facilities at City West and Grange Castle and a third level Institute of technology at Tallaght.

I can assure the Deputy that the enterprise development agencies, under the aegis of my Department, are working hard to attract and develop employment and investment opportunities for Tallaght and the surrounding area.