Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 542: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress that has been made since he unveiled a pilot jobs initiative for the Killybegs region, County Donegal, aimed at creating an additional 250 jobs in the area by 2014; the number of jobs created; the location of the jobs; the steps that were taken in reaching the 250 jobs target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36179/11]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 543: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of the 58 new jobs in the seafood processing sector that he announced for Killybegs, County Donegal, on 3 June 2011 that have materialised; if he will provide the details; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36180/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 542 and 543 together.

On 3 June 2011, I announced the award to 18 seafood processing companies of €1.7 million in grants under the Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme. Leveraging total investment of €7.4 million, this initiative is projected to create 158 new jobs in the sector by 2014. Since that announcement, an Taoiseach announced on 6 October the award of further grants under the Scheme of close to €1 million. Leveraging total investment of €3.5 million, this is projected to create a further 62 jobs by 2014. As little time has passed since those announcements, the seafood processing companies concerned would only now be completing their capital investment works. The anticipated new jobs are expected to arise as these companies win new business using the new or upgraded facilities supported under the Scheme.

On 3 June, I also announced a pilot jobs initiative for Killybegs, following the launch of an economic report for the European Commission, which assessed the status, development and potential diversification of Killybegs as a fisheries dependent community. The aim of this initiative was to create 250 jobs in the Killybegs area by 2014, including those arising from investments in the Killybegs area supported under the Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme.

To drive forward the initiative, I established a High Level Group on Job Creation in the Killybegs Region and requested that the Group identify the potential actions required to deliver job creation in the following five key areas, that is; promoting seafood value added activity; enhancing ancillary services; developing offshore supports; promoting tourism and marine leisure; and promoting the green economy and renewable energy.

I understand that the High Level Group has now completed its work and I have arranged to meet the Group later this week to hear the outcome of their deliberations and receive the formal report of their work. I will make the Report available generally to the public and will ensure that a copy is sent to the Deputy.