Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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296. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of high potential start up jobs that have been created by Enterprise Ireland in County Kerry since the inception of the HPSN concept in 1989; the number of companies that benefitted; the amount of investment to each company; the current statistics regarding jobs per company in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5688/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Enterprise Ireland offers a range of financial and non-financial supports to assist clients through all stages of the business development cycle. Enterprise Ireland’s offers in the Start-Up space are aimed at High Potential Start-Up (HPSUs). HPSU companies are defined as start-up ventures that are:

- Introducing a new or innovative product or service to international markets;

- Involved in manufacturing or internationally traded services;

- Capable of creating 10 jobs in Ireland and realising €1 million in sales within three to four years of starting up;

- Led by an experienced management team;

- Headquartered and controlled in Ireland;

- Less than six years old.

Enterprise Ireland has supported thirteen Kerry based high potential start-ups since the programme first began in 1989. To date, these companies have received funding of €5,197,639 under the HPSU programme. Of the 13 Kerry based HPSUs supported by Enterprise Ireland, 2013 Forfás Employment data is available for 69% (9). These companies employed a total of 93 people (full-time & part-time) as of October 2013. The 2013 data reflects the most recent position of those HPSUs supported since 1989.

For reasons of commercial sensitivity Enterprise Ireland cannot release company specific data regarding jobs and investments. It should be noted that Shannon Development was the enterprise development agency responsible for supporting companies in North Kerry until January 2007.