Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will take a proactive approach to improving County Kerry's status for attracting foreign direct investment, through changes to grant aid available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27608/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Grant limits are applied under the Regional Guidelines 2007 to 2013. The Regional Aid Guidelines govern the areas in which Member States may grant regional aid, more commonly known as investment aid. Investment aid is intended to promote the economic development of certain disadvantaged areas within the European Union in order to redress regional disparities. The current Regional Aid Map for 2007-13 was drawn up in accordance with the Commission's Regional Aid Guidelines. The details of the support in terms of aid intensity for each county are available on my Departments website.

Under the approved map, Kerry, Limerick, Clare, North Tipperary and the Cork Urban Regeneration Area retained entitlement to Regional Aid from 2007-2013 for small and medium sized firms at the higher aid rates permitted for such firms under the Regional Aid Guidelines.

The process of Member States agreeing the 2014-2021 Regional Aid Guidelines has begun. The Commission are due to forward proposals to Member States in the coming months documenting the structure and provisions that will form the basis of the revised Guidelines. My Department is leading an interagency group that is currently examining issues around the new guidelines, including which counties could be included in the next map. The group will be examining all counties without prejudice as to their status in the revised map.