Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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496. 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 Cavan taking into account the loss of jobs at a number of enterprises in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37102/13]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The Enterprise Development agencies, under my Department, are to the fore in delivering on the commitments set out in the Action Plan for Jobs 2013 and continue to ensure that businesses can maximise their contribution to economic recovery and employment growth. The Plan contains a range of policy actions to assist enterprise development.

In terms of job creation, Enterprise Ireland provides a range of supports for high potential start-up companies including, financial supports, business and marketing advice, mentoring and product development. At present, there are 99 Enterprise Ireland client companies in Co. Cavan, employing more than 4,500 people. Over €600,000 has been paid out in funding by the agency to client companies in Co. Cavan this year.

In 2012, EI client companies created 374 jobs in Co. Cavan. On 15 February, my colleague, Minister Fergus O’Dowd officially launched the establishment by Enterprise Ireland of a ‘once off’ €200,000 Competitive Feasibility Fund aimed at stimulating start-ups and creating jobs and growth in the North East Region (Counties Louth, Cavan & Monaghan). Three new projects are currently being supported under this initiative which provides funding of up to €25,000 per project.

To date in 2013, Cavan County Enterprise Board (CEB) has approved €234,500 in financial assistance to a range of enterprises which have the potential to create 47 full time and 16 part time new direct jobs. Cavan CEB delivered 15 enterprise-related training programmes this year which were attended by over 200 participants. A new suite of training courses is currently being rolled out for autumn 2013. The CEB also provided mentoring assistance to 24 owner/managers of business enterprises. In addition the CEB has held special advisory clinics, and engaged with a large number of clients and prospective start-ups to discuss options for expanding their business or starting new enterprises.

Cavan CEB launched a new initiative to support and promote female entrepreneurship, and has also been involved in a wide number of other initiatives to support microenterprises in the county, including a in the County and has supported the very successful ‘Taste of Cavan’ showcase for local food producers and engaged closely with Bord Bia on developing complementary supports for new and existing local food producers.

At present, there are 34 IDA Ireland client companies in Co. Cavan, employing approximately 3,200 people. Approximately 70% of all FDI investments won by IDA come from within the agency’s existing client base. IDA’s strategy for regional locations is to leverage the existing client base in order to derive further investment opportunities.

The wider North East Region has been successful from an FDI perspective as evidenced by Ebay’s announcement creating 450 new jobs on 14 February 2013; PayPal’s announcement of the creation of 1,000 jobs over the next four years at its new European Operations Centre in Dundalk, and Prometric’s announcement of a major investment in its test development services business in Ireland, to be headquartered in Dundalk with the creation of 100 jobs. These investments will bring spin off benefits right across the North East Region. IDA will continue to consider all opportunities to leverage its property portfolio in towns like Cavan in order to facilitate investment generation and job creation.

I am confident that all these initiatives, together with those outlined in the Action Plan for Jobs will help sustain existing jobs and create new employment opportunities in the county over the coming years.