Written answers

Wednesday, 4 December 2013

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Enterprise Support Schemes

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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66. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the specific projects that he plans for County Monaghan arising from the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Plan 2012-2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52140/13]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Developing enterprise and helping create jobs remain top priorities for Government. The “Infrastructure and Capital Investment Plan 2012-16” identifies investment in the productive sector and human capital – such as direct supports for enterprise development, science, technology and innovation advancement as one of its main components. The Investment Plan commits substantial resources to my Department to foster industry and creativity and lead to an end to joblessness. It also acknowledges that sustained investments will ensure that Ireland remains an attractive location for Foreign Direct Investment and a location in which to grow, develop and protect businesses and ideas.

With this in mind, our primary objective is to create the environment for economic recovery through competitiveness, enterprise and job creation as part of the ongoing implementation of the annual Action Plan for Jobs process. I am currently preparing the 2014 Action Plan for Jobs on behalf of the Government and we will continue, through that process, to build on the success of the actions we have taken over the last two years, whereby the private sector is creating 5,000 jobs per month.

The Enterprise Development agencies, under my Department, are at the forefront of implementing the Action Plan for Jobs and other Government initiatives. In Monaghan, there are 6 IDA-supported companies employing 275 people in permanent positions and a further 73 in contract positions. IDA Ireland continues to market Monaghan for new investment and in line with IDA’s Strategy, Horizon 2020 the Agency works closely with its existing client base to encourage them to grow and embed their businesses. IDA will consider all opportunities to utilise its lands at Knockaconny in Monaghan to attract FDI, indigenous and other non-traditional type investments which may not fall under the general remit of IDA or Enterprise Ireland but could create investment and employment opportunities.

Enterprise Ireland provides a range of supports for start-ups including: the Competitive Feasibility Fund for the North East Region (Cavan, Monaghan and Louth) launched in February 2013; the Competitive Start-Up Fund; the Seed and Venture Capital and Development Capital Funds; the HALO Business Angel Partnership Programme, that is mandated to match business angels to appropriate projects; the “New Frontiers” Programme and the Innovation Voucher Initiative. Enterprise Ireland has 124 client companies in Monaghan employing almost 3,500 people. To date in 2013, over €1.5m has been approved to Monaghan companies and €599,000 paid across EI’s suite of supports.

Enterprise Ireland will continue to support new High Potential Start-Ups in Co. Monaghan in 2014, as well as supporting established Clients using the various Programmes under the remit of the Agency. EI is also available to work with, and support, local entrepreneurs with commercial business plans and also provides preferential funding for entrepreneurs and companies, with detailed export plans, who are expanding or establishing a business in the County.

Monaghan County Enterprise Board (CEB) promotes an enterprise culture throughout the County and supports start-ups and small to medium sized businesses in a variety of practical ways, through both financial and non-financial or “soft” supports including the provision of business advice, mentoring and training to all clients.

In 2012-2013, Monaghan CEB approved grants to the value of €786,154, with 60.5 associated jobs, including €100k in 2012 towards the establishment of an Innovation Centre in Carrickmacross. In addition, the Board is involved in a number of cross-border projects, with an estimated spend of €750,000, which will sustain and increase sales growth for businesses in Co. Monaghan.

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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67. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the specific projects that he plans for County Cavan arising from the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Plan 2012-2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52141/13]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Developing enterprise and helping create jobs remain top priorities for Government. The “Infrastructure and Capital Investment Plan 2012-16” identifies investment in the productive sector and human capital – such as direct supports for enterprise development, science, technology and innovation advancement as one of its main components. The Investment Plan commits substantial resources to my Department to foster industry and creativity and lead to an end to joblessness. It also acknowledges that sustained investments will ensure that Ireland remains an attractive location for Foreign Direct Investment and a location in which to grow, develop and protect businesses and ideas.

With this in mind, our primary objective is to create the environment for economic recovery through competitiveness, enterprise and job creation as part of the ongoing implementation of the annual Action Plan for Jobs process. I am currently preparing the 2014 Action Plan for Jobs on behalf of the Government and we will continue, through that process, to build on the success of the actions we have taken over the last two years, whereby the private sector is creating 5,000 jobs per month.

The Enterprise Development agencies, under my Department, are at the forefront of implementing the Action Plan for Jobs and other Government initiatives.

In Cavan there are 5 IDA-supported companies employing 1,020 people in permanent positions and a further 45 in contract positions, IDA Ireland continues to market Cavan for new investment and in line with IDA’s Strategy Horizon 2020, the Agency works closely with its existing client base to encourage them to grow and embed their businesses. IDA will consider all opportunities to utilise the Business Park in Cavan to attract FDI, indigenous and other non-traditional type investments which may not fall under the general remit of IDA or Enterprise Ireland but could create investment and employment opportunities.

Enterprise Ireland provides a range of supports for start-ups including: the Competitive Feasibility Fund for the North East Region (Cavan, Monaghan and Louth) launched in February 2013; the Competitive Start-Up Fund; the Seed and Venture Capital and Development Capital Funds; the HALO Business Angel Partnership Programme, that is mandated to match business angels to appropriate projects; the “New Frontiers” Programme and the Innovation Voucher Initiative. Enterprise Ireland currently has 99 client companies in Co. Cavan employing in excess of 4,000 people. To date in 2013, over €1m has been paid to Cavan-based companies by Enterprise Ireland.

Enterprise Ireland continues to support new High Potential Start-Ups in Co. Cavan in 2014 as well as continuing to support established Clients using the various Programmes under the remit of the Agency. Enterprise Ireland is also available to work with and support local entrepreneurs with commercial business plans and also provides preferential funding for entrepreneurs and companies, with detailed export plans, who are expanding or establishing a business in the County.

Cavan County Enterprise Board (CEB) promotes an enterprise culture throughout the County and it supports start-ups and small to medium sized businesses in a variety of practical ways, through both financial and non-financial or “soft” supports including the provision of business advice, mentoring and training to all clients.

So far this year, Cavan CEB has approved 18 grants to the value of €361,500 with 50 associated jobs. They have held 29 training courses with 410 participants, as well as an Accelerate Programme and a Retail Management Development Programme.

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