Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 40: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he is satisfied with the actions of Enterprise Ireland that have delivered a net increase of six jobs over the past year; and the role that he intends them to play in delivering his target of 100,000 net new jobs by 2016. [27312/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Enterprise Ireland actively works with viable companies to help them to both sustain and create jobs. A total of more than 162,000 people (full and part-time) directly rely on Enterprise Ireland client companies for their employment.

It is important to note that Enterprise Ireland created 9,038 jobs in 2011 in what was a challenging economic environment, both here and in our overseas markets. While I accept that there was a net loss, it should be noted that the number of full time jobs lost in Enterprise Ireland assisted companies reached their lowest level in 10 years. These results represent a critical stabilisation of employment among EI client companies. A significant proportion of the losses sustained in employment over the last three years is linked to the impacts of a construction sector downturn which has also impacted a large number of companies providing products, services and materials for use by that sector. Among the sectors reporting a net increase in full time employment in 2011 were Food; Machinery and Equipment; Electronics (Electrical Equipment); Engineering (Basic and Fabricated Metal Products); Transport Equipment; Mining and Quarrying; Medical instruments and supplies; Computer programming, consultancy and related activities; and Other Information/Communication Services.

The Action Plan for Jobs contains over 270 actions to be implemented by all 15 Government Departments as well as 36 State agencies, and is intended to improve supports for job-creating businesses and remove barriers to employment-creation across the economy. A significant element of the Plan falls to Enterprise Ireland for implementation and key actions on which EI has already delivered include:

· The launch of the new Potential Exporters Division in Enterprise Ireland to support more indigenous companies to trade in foreign markets, and a new programme of supports, "Get Export Ready" tailored specifically for pre-export and early stage exporting companies

· Design and launch of a new Development Capital Scheme, aimed at addressing a funding gap for mid-sized, high-growth, indigenous companies with significant prospects for jobs and export growth

· Issuing of a global second call under Innovation Fund Ireland to top venture capitalists to signal their interest in establishing a presence in Ireland, with investment by Government of more than €60 million in venture capital funds which establish a presence in Ireland

· Establishment of a new Enterprise Ireland/IDA Ireland Senior Management Team to drive effective collaboration on key priorities.

As we continue the step-by-step process of rebuilding the economy, Enterprise Ireland, as the lead agency responsible for driving growth of Irish companies in overseas markets, will play a significant role in delivering real progress in job creation.

Question No. 41 answered with Question No. 8.