Written answers

Tuesday, 16 October 2012

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Regional Development

Photo of Arthur SpringArthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he is in a position to clarify the criteria for the selection of Kerry Group’s Global Technology and Innovation Centre in Naas County Kildare supported by Enterprise Ireland; if he considered balanced regional development and the synergies and economic benefits such a development would have next to Kerry Group’s Headquarters in County Kerry; if he will elaborate on plans to create sustainable jobs in County Kerry, an area with the highest unemployment and emigration rates in the country. [44611/12]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The decision to locate the flagship Global Technology and Innovation Centre in Naas, Co. Kildare, to serve its global and regional customers in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Region, was taken by the Kerry Group.

I understand from Enterprise Ireland that the agency during its meetings with the Kerry Group on the potential location of the Global Technology and Innovation Centre, while primarily focussed on winning the project for Ireland, discussed various regional options within Ireland.

It became quickly evident that the Group’s location decision would be largely driven by the need for maximum efficiency in terms of customer accessibility. Proximity to an international airport was therefore a key determining criterion. This Global Centre will function as a hub for the Group’s clients who will be moving in and out of Ireland on an intensive basis as research and innovation projects get underway.

The achievement of balanced regional growth continues to be a core objective of Government. 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 the support of company development plans; and enhancing the innovation capability of Ireland through support of research in companies and third level institutions.

EI actively engages with its client companies and has a number of supports and initiatives in place to assist companies. There are 124 EI client companies in Co. Kerry employing more than 3,000 people in full-time jobs. In 2011, EI paid almost €2.6m in financial support to client companies in Co. Kerry. EI has also approved funding towards the development of Community Enterprise Centres in Co. Kerry.

New Frontiers, Ireland’s national Entrepreneur Development Programme is delivered at a local level by the Institutes of Technology. The Programme aims to support the creation of high-value knowledge-based Irish owned businesses and is currently underway in the Institute of Technology, Tralee with 9 local companies participating on the Programme.

The Kerry County Enterprise Board has primary responsibility for the delivery of State support to the indigenous micro-enterprise sector i.e. businesses which employ 10 or less workers. They play a central role through the provision of financial and non-financial support in assisting many micro-enterprises in developing their growth potential and, in developing into strong export entities where they have sufficient mass to access the services of Enterprise Ireland.

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; attract new Investment; progress the development of a knowledge economy so that the region can compete both nationally and internationally for foreign direct investment (FDI); work with the existing IDA client-base and help them to further develop their presence; and, 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 FDI. IDA is particularly targeting the ICT, International Financial Services and Globally Traded Business sectors.

While the IDA seeks to influence the location, it must be remembered that in all cases, it is the investor who decides where to locate.

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