Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if any special initiatives will be undertaken by his Department or the State's industrial promotion agencies to assist in the provision of much needed employment in County Monaghan taking into account the recent loss of jobs at a number of enterprises (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7911/13]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Supporting new and existing indigenous and foreign-owned businesses, is central to our plans for recovery, growth and jobs.

The Government is addressing job creation and retention through the twin strategies of the Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work. The aim of the Action Plan for Jobs is to support the creation of 100,000 net new jobs by 2016, while the objective of Pathways to Work is to ensure that as many of those jobs as possible go to those who are currently unemployed. The Plan is a whole of Government plan with a national focus across all regions.

The Enterprise Development agencies are at the forefront of implementing the Action Plan for Jobs and continue to ensure that enterprises can maximise their contribution to economic recovery and jobs growth. Despite a very difficult domestic and external economic environment, we are beginning to see the positive impact of the Government’s policies. 2012 saw significant net job creation by EI and IDA-supported companies, building on the positive results of 2011 and following successive years of significant net job losses.

My Department has successfully delivered on national actions, such as the establishment of the Microfinance Loan Fund and the Credit Guarantee Scheme, both of which will increase access to finance for enterprises and entrepreneurs throughout the country.

IDA continues to market the North East Region for new inward investment through its Gateway of Dundalk, in line with the Government’s National Spatial Strategy (NSS). IDA works closely with its 34 client companies in the North East Region that currently employ circa 3,211 people. At the end of 2012, there were 6 IDA Ireland supported companies in Monaghan employing circa 350 people and IDA continues to promote the county as part of its marketing strategy.

Enterprise Ireland provides a range of supports for High Potential Start-Up (HPSU’s) companies including, financial supports, business and marketing advice, mentoring, product development etc. Five HPSU’s were created in Monaghan since 2008 with a number of projects in the pipeline. EI also works with Monaghan County Enterprise Board and Monaghan County Development Board in enhancing economic development within the County. Payments of over €4 million were made to EI companies in Monaghan in 2012. To date in 2013, over €100,000 has been approved to Monaghan companies. In 2012, EI client companies employed 3,871 people in County Monaghan.

Ensuring that more micro and small businesses can start up, expand and export is a key pillar of the Government’s plans for jobs and growth. In November 2012, I announced that primary legislation will be drafted to dissolve the existing County and City Enterprise Boards and create an enhanced national micro-enterprise support model, delivered through Local Enterprise Offices to be established in each Local Authority area.

Pending the introduction of these arrangements, County and City Enterprise Boards, including Monaghan CEB, will continue to ensure that available funds are targeted to maximise entrepreneurial development and engage and work with micro-enterprises employing less than 10 persons, on an on-going basis, with strong referral to sister agencies to progress the needs of the businesses in their respective areas. In 2012, Monaghan CEB provided funding of €712,306 to micro-enterprises in Monaghan.

I am currently preparing the 2013 Action Plan for Jobs on behalf of the Government, and in that context, am exploring further measures which can be taken to transform our economy and support job creation across all regions of the country.