Written answers

Tuesday, 19 February 2013

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Job Creation Numbers

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a yearly breakdown of the new jobs created in County Donegal by the Industrial Development Agency over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8815/13]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a yearly breakdown of the number of Industrial Development Agency sponsored visits to County Donegal over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8816/13]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 386 and 387 together.

I am informed by IDA that in the 5 year period 2008 to 2012 there were a total of 13 sponsored site visits by potential investors to Co. Donegal. In the same period, IDA Ireland’s client companies created 739 new jobs in Donegal. At present, there are 14 IDA Ireland client companies in Co. Donegal employing 2,228 people of which 178 are part time positions. Details of the number of site visits and new jobs created in each of the years 2008 to 2012 are set out in the attached tabular statements.

Donegal’s industry base is transforming from the clothing and textile industry to high tech, high skill activity. IDA Ireland is actively encouraging new investment in Donegal in knowledge based industries and is actively promoting Donegal as a successful location for high-end manufacturing mainly to companies in the medical technologies sector. In October last KeyedIn Solutions announced its plans to establish a software development centre in Letterkenny with the creation of 20 highly skilled jobs over three years.

IDA’s commitment to delivering business to Letterkenny and Sligo in the North West Region continues in line with IDA’s strategy ‘Horizon 2020’. Also, in line with “Horizon 2020 ,” IDA works with corporate and local management in existing client companies to improve competitiveness and efficiencies, enhance their use of technology, up-skill employees, engage in RD&I and develop their business processes so as to ensure the maintenance of the existing jobs provided by these companies in Ireland.

IDA prioritises the marketing of its Gateway locations within each Region as the locations of critical mass and highlights the opportunities provided by other locations on an opportunistic basis, which are within commuting distances of these Gateways.

Another primary focus for IDA Ireland in Donegal is the designated linked Gateway of Letterkenny/Derry. This focus involves developing stronger economic links with Invest Northern Ireland, which includes initiatives like the North West Business & Technology Zone (NWBTZ). The NWBTZ is aimed at promoting the linked Gateway of Letterkenny/Derry in line with the NI Regional Development Strategy 2025.

I am mindful of the concerns that have been expressed to me by Deputies on all sides of the House about the relatively low level of site visits to certain regional locations. I have, accordingly, raised this matter with the CEO of IDA Ireland with a view to exploring what further initiatives can be taken to influence potential investors to invest in such locations.

Table showing the number of new jobs created in IDA Ireland Client Companies in County Donegal in each of the years 2008 to 2012

Employment
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Number of New Jobs created
67
63
152
271
186

Table showing the number of IDA sponsored site visits to County Donegal in each of the years 2008 to 2012

Year Site Visits
20121
20112
20104
20093
20083

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