Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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285. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs that have been created through the ConnectIreland initiative; the companies that provided these jobs; the origin of these companies; the start up costs associated with the establishment of ConnectIreland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24170/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The 'Succeed in Ireland' initiative was launched in March 2012 as one of the key action points in the Action Plan for Jobs 2012. This unique pilot initiative is managed by IDA Ireland and delivered on their behalf, under contract, by Connect Ireland, a subsidiary of the Taxback Group. Connect Ireland markets, promotes and implements the ‘Succeed in Ireland’ initiative in the international marketplace. Under the terms of the contract, Connect Ireland and IDA Ireland work to convert potential leads identified by ‘Connectors’ into investments and job creation in Ireland.

Up to Friday last, 6 June 2014, there have been a total of 20 projects approved by IDA Ireland under the initiative, with the potential to create 498 jobs. Details of the number of projects approved in each of the three years 2012 to 2014, inclusive, are set out in the tabular statement A. Of the 20 projects approved to date, 13 have been publicly announced and are listed on the tabular statement B. On the basis of information received from Connect Ireland, IDA Ireland has informed me that, at present, there are in the region of 150 jobs now on the ground arising from the initiative. Under the agreed terms of its contract Connect Ireland have covered all start-up costs associated with the establishment of the initiative. Payments will be made to Connect Ireland on a phased basis by IDA Ireland in respect of each sustainable job that has been in place for a period of over two years. To date, no exchequer funding has been expended as payments by IDA Ireland to Connect Ireland, under the initiative have not yet fallen due. An independent evaluation of the initiative is currently underway and, following completion of that evaluation, I will bring a memorandum to Government on the matter.

TABLE A

Table showing the number of Connect Ireland projects approved by IDA Ireland in each of the years 2012, 2013 & to date in 2014

Table showing the number of Connect Ireland Projects that have been publicly announced