Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 216: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will address the rising unemployment figures in County Kerry by requesting Enterprise Ireland to increase their efforts in attracting jobs to the County; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34426/12]

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Enterprise Ireland supported jobs created in County Kerry in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34428/12]

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he is satisfied with the number of Enterprise Ireland supported jobs created in County Kerry in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34429/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 216, 218 and 219 together.

The achievement of balanced regional growth continues to be a core objective of Government. Promoting entrepreneurship and facilitating the key infrastructural needs of Irish enterprise across all regions is vital to ensuring a vigorous pipeline of new business leaders, new business ideas and entrepreneurial activity. Enterprise Ireland (EI) activity in Co. Kerry is focussed on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs to set up new High Potential Start-Up Companies, on the retention and creation of new jobs in existing companies through support of company development plans, and in enhancing the innovation capability of Ireland at a national and regional level through support of research in companies and third level institutions.

There are 124 Enterprise Ireland client companies in Co. Kerry employing more than 3,000 people in full time jobs. The number of full time new jobs created in Enterprise Ireland client companies in Co Kerry 2011, exceeded jobs lost for the first time in the past decade. This positive outcome in Co. Kerry in 2011 reflects the national picture, where employment in Irish exporting companies stabilised. In 2011, Enterprise Ireland paid almost €2.6m in financial support to its client companies in Co. Kerry. Additionally, Enterprise Ireland has provided funding of over €2.2m, as well as other supports, for the development of incubation facilities at the Institute of Technology, Tralee. The Tom Crean Business Centre also provides incubation space for Enterprise Ireland clients in the start-up phase of their business. Enterprise Ireland co-funded the support of a Development Manager for the Centre for two years.

The agency is also supporting the Institute of Technology and the Tom Crean Centre in the delivery of the "New Frontiers" Programme, which is currently underway in the Institute of Technology, Tralee with nine local companies participating on the Programme. This programme provides companies with a package of supports to help accelerate their business development and to equip them with the skills and contacts that are needed to successfully start and grow an export driven company. Enterprise Ireland has also approved funding totalling more than €1.7m towards the construction and development of several Community Enterprise Centres in Co. Kerry over the past number of years, including Killarney Technology Innovation Centre, Iveragh Coop Farmers Mart Society Ltd, and Kenmare Mart Enterprise Coop Society Ltd. The figures in respect of jobs created in Enterprise Ireland client companies in Co. Kerry from 2008-2011 are set out in the table accompanying this reply. As the figures are compiled on an annualised basis, the figures for 2012 will be available in the early part of 2013.

No. of Enterprise Ireland supported jobs in County Kerry