Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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86. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will respond to correspondence (details supplied) regarding the establishment of an economic task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5938/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I consider that it is neither practicable nor effective to establish jobs task forces or specific jobs plans around the country as a general mechanism to address unemployment. I believe that to embark on such a course would involve diverting the various State Agencies from their on-going efforts to create jobs. A considerable administrative commitment is involved in servicing any additional committees and groups which may be set up and, given the constrained staff resources facing all public sector bodies at present, I am strongly of the opinion that establishing such additional groups, except in very exceptional circumstances, would not be in the best interests of using the State’s resources effectively.

My Department and its Agencies are working together to address the unemployment problem that is currently experienced throughout the Country as a whole by implementing the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs which aims to create 100,000 net new jobs over the period 2012 to 2016. The Enterprise Development Agencies under the aegis of my Department - Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) - are to the forefront in delivering many of the Action Points under the Action Plan for Jobs by providing a suite of programmes to assist companies to develop their enterprises and support both start up and established businesses. All companies eligible for support from the Agencies have the same access to State services regardless of their location or status.

At present, Enterprise Ireland has 66 client companies based in Co. Clare employing 1,376 people including 13 companies based in Ennis employing 180 people. Clare based companies were approved for funding of €1,558,287 in 2013 and so far in 2014, €183,991 has been paid to Clare-based clients. The Agency operates a number of programmes to assist companies in Co. Clare including, Competitive Feasibility Funds and Competitive Start Funds in 2013. The Mid-West Competitive Feasibility Fund funded 15 projects including one Ennis Start-up. Also, there are currently three Ennis-based companies who will shortly complete the New Frontiers programme in Galway Mayo Institute of Technology and Limerick Institute of Technology.

In addition, the Agency’s Potential Exporters Division is working with eight Clare-based companies, including two in Ennis. An Enterprise Start programme was held in Westpark in Shannon last October. Eight companies attended including one Ennis-based company.

Clare County Enterprise Board (CEB) develops indigenous potential and stimulates economic activity at a local level through the provision of financial and technical support for the development of small and micro-enterprises in Co. Clare. In 2012, Clare CEB paid out capital grants to the value of €612,100 with 53 associated jobs. The Board also provided training for 596 participants.

Clare has a strong FDI base, concentrated mostly in the Shannon Free Zone and Ennis. State-supported FDI companies in the county employ approximately 5,000 people in 55 companies in the Shannon Free Zone and a further 1,340 people in 13 companies in the rest of the County. IDA’s strategy is to re-position the Mid-West, including Co. Clare, as a hotspot for knowledge based industry.