Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The recent announcement concerning the closure of the Aetna facility in Castleisland is disappointing for all concerned. However, IDA Ireland and the company are working closely to construct a "prospectus" setting out the skills and capabilities of the workforce and a profile of the facility that IDA can then market internationally as part of their efforts to attract alternative employment to Castleisland.

It should be remembered that Aetna will not cease operations in Castleisland until December this year and, therefore, the current facility will be in use up to this time. The company is currently reviewing all its options in relation to use of the premises/site from the end the year. IDA has met with representatives of Aetna twice in the US and has on-going contact with them in Ireland with a view to supporting and advising the workforce at this difficult time and considering all options in relation to finding suitable alternative employment. IDA has highlighted the skills and capabilities of the Aetna workforce to a number of relevant investors. This exercise will intensify over the coming months and include clients of Enterprise Ireland as well as foreign-owned companies. This will increase overall visibility of the Castleisland site across a range of sectors and improve the prospects of finding new employment.

FÁS Employment Services Management in the South West Region will make contact with the company and carry out an assessment of all those being made redundant. Following on from that Enterprise Ireland's Mid West Regional Office will offer to run Enterprise Start programmes in cooperation with the Enterprise Board to facilitate employees.

I would like to assure the Deputy that the full resources of the State development agencies are being used to find a replacement industry and to assist the workers who are to be made redundant.

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 276: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the programme he and Enterprise Ireland have for job procurement for Boyle, County Roscommon, in view of the fact that a factory unit lies idle and a business park project is in place on a site procured by Roscommon County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9677/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Job creation is central to our economic recovery and the Programme for Government has job creation at its core. The role of my Department is to ensure that we have the right policies in place to support and grow our enterprise base in order to facilitate both job creation and job retention. It is only by creating the right environment for businesses to expand that we will see new jobs coming on stream.

In terms of job creation, Enterprise Ireland (EI) activity is focussed on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs setting up new High Potential Start-Up Companies, the retention and creation of new jobs in existing companies and enhancing the innovation capability of Ireland at a national and regional level through support of research in companies and Third Level institutions. At present, there are over 60 EI client companies in Co. Roscommon, employing almost 1,200 people. In 2010, the agency approved over €1.5m for client companies in the county.

EI has approved financial support for a total of five community Enterprise Centres in Co. Roscommon. These centres are located in Arigna, Ballaghaderreen, Boyle, Castlerea and Roscommon Town. Boyle Chamber of Commerce has been approved funding in respect of eligible expenditure towards the development of an enterprise centre in Boyle. I understand that it was Boyle Chamber's original intention to locate the centre on a site owned by Roscommon County Council. However, I have been informed that the Chamber subsequently developed plans to refurbish an existing building in the town as an enterprise centre, which is part funded by EI. Roscommon County Enterprise Board (CEB) is funding the refurbishment of this building and EI funded the purchase. This project is expected to create ten jobs.

As regards the closure of the factory in question in 2006, I understand that a new owner, who would operate a food production facility at the site, is being sought. EI has been monitoring the situation closely and even though this is a particularly difficult time for the food industry, I have been informed that two of the agency's client companies have expressed interest in the facility.

Job creation in Roscommon is also supported by the activities of the Roscommon CEB through a series of programmes and both financial and non-financial assistance are available to a project promoter. In 2010, Roscommon CEB provided over €340,000 to 16 projects and assisted more than 500 people in their training and mentoring programmes. During 2011, the Board has continued to support enterprise development in Boyle and throughout the county and will ensure that available funds are targeted to maximise entrepreneurial development.

In relation to potential Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) based job creation for the area, IDA Ireland's strategy for Roscommon is to promote the county as part of an integrated Midlands Region. In line with the National Spatial Strategy, IDA is committed to marketing the County town of Roscommon as a location for FDI. To this end, IDA Ireland works closely with educational institutions in the Region, in developing the best fit between their programs and the skill sets necessary to attract high value added employment to the county. At present there are six IDA Ireland supported companies in Roscommon employing approximately 755 people.