Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 275: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the extent, if any, to which he and his Department have engaged with the job creating sectors throughout County Roscommon with a view to generating increased employment; the steps he has taken to assist those with entrepreneurial skills or who have become unemployed with a view to encouraging job creation in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41003/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The State Development agencies, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, and the Roscommon County Enterprise Board are continuing to drive and promote enterprise development, and consequently employment creation, in County Roscommon. Enterprise Ireland is actively focused on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs setting up new high potential start-up companies, and the retention and creation of new jobs in existing companies. The agency provides a range of supports for high potential start up companies.

Enterprise Ireland works with and supports local entrepreneurs with commercial business plans and provides preferential funding for entrepreneurs and companies, with detailed export plans, who are expanding or establishing a business in County Roscommon. To date in 2010, Enterprise Ireland has made payments of €951,265 to its client companies in County Roscommon. Since 2009 a total of 10 innovation vouchers were approved to companies in the County. These vouchers allow companies to spend a minimum of €5,000 towards research and development in a third level institution of their choice.

Enterprise Ireland continues to work with community groups in County Roscommon to develop Enterprise Centres designed to foster micro enterprises. The agency has approved support for Community owned or led Enterprise Centres in Arigna, Ballaghaderreen, Boyle, Castlerea and Roscommon, which is helping to provide workspace for the creation of new projects and businesses.

Roscommon County Enterprise Board supports the micro-enterprise sector, businesses with 10 employees or less, in the start-up and expansion phases and promotes entrepreneurship at local level. The Board delivers a series of programmes to underpin this role and provides both financial and non-financial assistance to a project promoter. Due to the Board's unique relationship with its clients and the local business community, the Board can specifically tailor programmes to meet the evolving needs and requirements of small enterprises. The Board will continue to assist micro-enterprises in order to stimulate indigenous enterprise creation and to boost employment creation and retention.

IDA Ireland is concentrating its efforts on the county town of Roscommon and through its network of overseas offices the agency is actively marketing the town to potential investors. At present, there are eight IDA Ireland supported companies in County Roscommon employing approximately 817 people. The agency has invested €2.2m in a quality flagship Business Park in Roscommon and has undertaken a major upgrade and enhancement of its existing Industrial Estate at Racecourse Road/Gallowstown. The upgrade includes site services, broadband ducting and significant landscaping upgrades to bring the Park to top quality standards for marketing purposes.

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 276: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the extent, if any, to which he and his Department have engaged with the job creating sectors throughout County Leitrim with a view to generating increased employment; the steps he has taken to assist those with entrepreneurial skills or who have become unemployed with a view to encouraging job creation in County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41004/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The State Development agencies, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, and the Leitrim County Enterprise Board are continuing to drive and promote enterprise development, and consequently employment creation, in County Leitrim.

Enterprise Ireland is actively focused on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs setting up new high potential start-up companies, and the retention and creation of new jobs in existing companies. Enterprise Ireland provides a range of supports for high potential start up companies including, financial supports, business and marketing advice, mentoring and product development. Enterprise Ireland works with and supports local entrepreneurs with commercial business plans and provides preferential funding for entrepreneurs and companies, with detailed export plans, who are expanding or establishing a business in the County. On September 28, 2010, an Enterprise Start event was held in the Sligo Enterprise Ireland office for Sligo and Leitrim.

To date in 2010, Enterprise Ireland has made payments of €791,353 to its client companies in County Leitrim. A total of 11 Innovation Vouchers were approved to companies in Co. Leitrim since 2009. This allows the company to spend a minimum of €5,000 towards R&D in a third level institution of their choice.

Enterprise Ireland continues to work with community groups in County Leitrim to develop Enterprise Centres designed to foster micro enterprises. Enterprise Ireland has approved funding of over €2.3 million in support of Community Enterprise Centres in the County. These include Centres in Drumshanbo, Carrick-on-Shannon, Mohill, Drumkeerin, Ballinamore, Keshcarrigan and Manorhamilton.

Leitrim County Enterprise Board provides support for small businesses with 10 employees or fewer in the start-up and expansion phases, develops indigenous micro-enterprise potential and promotes entrepreneurship at local level. The Board delivers a series of programmes to underpin this role and can provide both financial and non-financial assistance to a project promoter. Due to the Board's unique relationship with its clients and the local business community, the Board can specifically tailor programmes to meet the evolving needs and requirements of small enterprises. The Board will continue to assist micro-enterprises in order to stimulate indigenous enterprise creation and to boost employment creation and retention.

In addition to marketing County Leitrim for new investments, IDA Ireland is actively engaged with its existing base of companies in the County, highlighting the ongoing importance of upskilling and reskilling and the need to add high value activities in order to ensure their sustainability and ongoing development. At present, there are 5 IDA supported companies in the County employing 988 people in full-time employment.