Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 310: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the areas identified as employment black spots by his Department or the State agencies within his remit; the number of task forces created as a result of such identification of problem areas; the number of employment opportunities created by such task forces and the total investment involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35320/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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In terms of supporting the creation of new employment opportunities across the country the State development agencies, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, together with the County and City Enterprise Boards assist and promote enterprise development and employment growth in businesses. Enterprise Ireland delivers a wide range of supports to Irish companies, targeted at the specific requirements of clients throughout all regions to ensure that they develop to their full potential in terms of innovation and exports, which in turn, stimulates job creation. In addition, the agency has refocused its efforts on strengthening and sustaining viable companies of through a range of initiatives focused on the needs of their client base.

During 2010, the 35 County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) have continued to support enterprise development through the provision of both financial and non-financial assistance and will ensure that available funds are targeted to maximise entrepreneurial development and to enhance employment creation within the county.

While it is clear that we are operating in a very difficult economic environment, there are still investment opportunities in global markets and IDA will continue to compete vigorously for projects for Ireland. So far this year, there have been 63 IDA announcements with the potential to create in excess of 4,700 jobs. In the past Task Forces have been used as part of a response to a sudden loss of large numbers of industrial jobs, often in one major employer. However, in recent years, other initiatives are increasingly used as an alternative to Task Forces. This typically involves the County Development Board taking on a coordination function and working with representatives from State agencies such as IDA, Enterprise Ireland, FÁS and the County Enterprise Boards, as well as any relevant stakeholders at local level.

In the exceptional circumstances following the decision by Dell to reduce its workforce in Limerick, the Mid-West Task Force was established in February 2009. In July 2009, the Task Force presented an interim report to the Tánaiste. Since then, the Government has responded to many of the report's recommendations and has kept the Dáil apprised of developments. In June, I arranged for all Deputies to be provided with the latest detailed update of the Government's response to the Task Force. I am expecting a final report from the Task Force later this year.

In response to the job losses announced at the Quinn Group earlier this year, I established an inter-agency team comprising Enterprise Ireland, FÁS, IDA Ireland, the relevant County Enterprise Boards and the Department of Social Protection. The primary focus of the Inter Agency response team is to support the employees affected in exploring their options regarding employment, setting up a business, education, and to outline the supports and training available to them. Forfás have also prepared competitiveness agendas for each region of the country and these feed into strategic decision-making of the development agencies.