Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount of funding that was provided by Enterprise Ireland to businesses operating in an area (detailed supplied) in 2011 and 2012 and to date in 2013; the number of companies in this area that Enterprise Ireland is currently supporting and working with [16876/13]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Since the beginning of 2011, Enterprise Ireland (EI) has paid approximately €4.7m in support of companies in County Wicklow to help them grow their sales and exports and improve innovation and new product development in order that they can compete on world markets.

In 2012, there were 3,339 people employed on a full time basis in the 177 Enterprise Ireland client companies in Co. Wicklow. In addition, 424 people were employed on a part-time/contract basis. In 2012, Enterprise Ireland paid almost €2.1m to support client companies in the county. In 2011, EI paid €1.89m to its client companies. To date in 2013, the agency has paid €793,634 in support of its client companies.

Enterprise Ireland activity is focussed on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs in manufacturing and internationally traded services and who are setting up new High Potential Start-Up Companies. The agency supported and showcased four HPSU’s in the county in 2012. EI works in close consultation and co-operation with other Agencies in the area, including IDA Ireland, Wicklow County Enterprise Board, as well as with Wicklow County Council to address development and infrastructural deficits in the county. The development of community based enterprise centres is a crucial part of the drive to create new regional enterprise and Enterprise Ireland works closely with the local Communities in County Wicklow, as well as with other organisations in this regard. The objective of the Community Enterprise Centre Programme is to enhance the development of an enterprise climate through the provision of infrastructural facilities to support the establishment and expansion of micro enterprises through local community participation. EI has supported the development of two such centres in the county, at Arklow and Wicklow Town.