James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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128. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to encourage the Industrial Development Agency and Enterprise Board to bring companies to locate in County Longford, where it is an attractive location to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20732/13]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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IDA Ireland is charged with the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Ireland and its regions. The role of the Longford County Enterprise Board is to provide a source of support for micro-enterprise in the start-up and expansion phases, to promote and develop indigenous micro enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level.

As Ireland competes for high quality investments, the concept of scale is crucial. Leading global corporations require a significant population pool, access to qualified talent, world standard physical and digital infrastructure coupled with the availability of sophisticated professional and business support services.

At present there are 6 IDA Ireland client companies in Longford employing 632 people. IDA Ireland has strong relationships with these companies and works closely with them in order to ensure their long term sustainability and to encourage their growth, development, a broadening of their mandates and continuing re-investment in their sites.

I am mindful that, in order to ensure that Ireland can continue to compete globally for FDI projects, it will be necessary to undertake an in depth analysis of our FDI strategy with a view to informing the formulation of an appropriate strategy for the period post 2014. This analysis, which will be undertaken later this year, will take account of factors such as key trends emerging in FDI best practice internationally, Ireland’s strengths in attracting FDI, any changes to the EU’s State Aid rules that may be introduced in the near future and our agreed approach to regional development.

In the meantime, IDA Ireland has assured me that it will in 2013, in accordance with the Government’s recently announced 2013 Action Plan for Jobs, seek to target more than 130 new investments, secure €500 million of R&D expenditure and create 13,000 new jobs in its client companies. Subject to certain eligibility criteria, Longford County Enterprise Board (CEB) supports individuals, firms and community groups provided that the proposed projects have the capacity to achieve commercial viability. This support can be in the form of financial and non-financial assistance to a project promoter. In 2012, Longford CEB paid out over €250,000 in grant assistance to 31 projects and 585 people participated in Longford CEB assisted training courses. This year 2013 Longford CEB has facilitated the establishment of a business forum group where local business persons meet to discuss ideas on how better to raise County Longford’s business profile and promote the county as an investment location.

Longford CEB will continue to support enterprise development in the area and will ensure that available funds are targeted to maximise entrepreneurial development at county level.