David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 235: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his policy regarding the location of foreign direct investment enterprises into Ireland [i]vis-À-vis[/i] locations in Dublin, Cork and the rest of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21174/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Foreign direct Investment (FDI) has been, and will continue to be, a key element in the export led recovery of the economy. IDA Ireland is the statutory body charged with the attraction of FDI to this country and its regions.

In March 2010, IDA Ireland published its strategy, entitled 'Horizon 2020' , for attracting (FDI) into Ireland in the coming decade. Among the targets set out in that document are the creation of 105,000 new jobs in Ireland from the period 2010-2014 and 50% of these investments are to be based in locations outside of Dublin and Cork.

Central to IDA's strategy is to build on existing regional strengths to ensure Ireland's economic development, while optimising regional spread, in line with the National Spatial Strategy. IDA has made good progress since its strategy was launched in March 2010 with almost 11,000 new jobs being created during 2010, of which 45% were located outside of Dublin and Cork as were 37% of new investments.

Frequently, competition for Foreign Direct Investment comes not from other countries but from city regions with populations in excess of one million people. Dublin is the only recognised city region in Ireland that meets this criterion. If FDI is to continue to contribute to balanced regional development the other regions of the country must be promoted as regions of scale with urban centres that provide the range of infrastructure and services that high value investment projects demand. This objective is being pursued under the National Spatial Strategy. IDA continues to vigorously promote the regions to potential investors. However, it must be remembered that although IDA seeks to influence the promoters' decisions on location, in all instances it is the investor who decides where to locate.

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 236: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has had discussions with other Department heads to ensure that the necessary skilled workforce to implement any investment projects that will be available here; if there are areas that have lost investment through lack of specific skills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21338/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland is a successful major centre for Industrial operations. The ready availability of top quality talent has been an important contributing factor to the success of both multinational and indigenous companies in Ireland.

The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) advises the Government on current and future skills needs of the economy and on other labour market issues that impact on Ireland's enterprise and employment growth. It has a central role in ensuring that labour market needs for skilled workers are anticipated and met. The EGFSN reports to me, as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation, and to my colleague Mr Ruairí Quinn, T.D., Minister for Education and Skills.

A range of skills recruitment difficulties have been raised through the work of the EGFSN, specifically the immediate issue of high-level ICT skills within the ICT sector. This is against a background of resilient demand arising from an expansion of the business operations of companies over the last year, inflow of foreign investment and formation of new start-ups. Immediate skills recruitment difficulties identified mainly relate to high–level ICT talent–computing science and electronic engineering Honours Bachelor Degree (Level 8) and above, especially for personnel with several years experience.

Along with my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills and I met recently with ICT Ireland, the ICT arm of IBEC to discuss this matter.

At that meeting, the Minister for Education and Skills outlined his plan for meeting the needs of the ICT Sector in the short and medium term. This includes the Springboard programme, which will provide approximately 6,000 part time higher education places for unemployed people. The programmes are in areas where skills shortages or potential employment growth opportunities have been identified by the EGFSN. Nineteen public and private higher education providers will offer a total of 65 ICT courses, with a target enrolment of 2,074 students. This is the single biggest area of provision (31%) supported through Springboard.

In addition, an Action Plan is being prepared jointly by the Department of Education and Skills and the Higher Education Authority to help boost the high–level ICT supply in terms of numbers and quality - in the immediate and medium term. This will require the sustained support and collaboration from a range of stakeholder – in particular from enterprise.