Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Industrial Development Agency supported jobs created and lost in County Kerry in each of the past 10 years; the position that County Kerry ranks in order of counties for new jobs; if he finds these statistics satisfactory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43002/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The Forfás Annual Employment survey reports on jobs gained and lost in companies supported by the enterprise development agencies. Details of the number of jobs gained and lost in IDA client companies in the 10 year period 2002 to 2011 are shown in the attached tabular statement. Figures for 2012 will not be available until year end.

At the end of 2011 there were 12 IDA Ireland supported companies in Kerry employing 1,294 permanent staff. IDA Ireland’s Strategy for County Kerry is:

- To work with Local Authorities and relevant infrastructure and service providers to influence the delivery of appropriate infrastructure to the region.

- To attract new Investment

- To progress the development of a knowledge economy so that the region can compete both nationally and internationally for foreign direct investment;

- To work with the existing IDA client base and to help them to further develop their presence;

- To provide modern property solutions with supporting infrastructure.

Through its network of overseas offices, IDA Ireland markets the linked hub locations of Killarney in South Kerry and Tralee in North Kerry for new foreign direct investment (FDI). IDA is particularly targeting the ICT, International Financial Services and Globally Traded Business sectors. In addition to attracting new foreign direct investment, IDA continues to work closely with its existing clients in Kerry to encourage them to expand their operations in the County. IDA Ireland also works closely with educational institutions and FÁS to develop the skill sets necessary to attract high value added employment to the county.

IDA continues to market all available land and buildings in the County including its 12 acre Business & Technology Park at Tiernaboul, Killarney, Co. Kerry. In Tralee, IDA is also marketing the Kerry Technology Park which is owned and managed by Shannon Development in partnership with the Institute of Technology Tralee. While IDA seeks to influence the location it must be remembered that in all cases it is the investor who decide where to locate.

Table showing

Jobs Created and Lost in IDA Ireland client companies by County from 2002 to 2011