Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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302. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of persons who have to date received payments under the Connect Ireland initiative; the total amount that has been paid out; the largest payment to an individual; if he will provide details of the estimated number of jobs that have been created under the initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32192/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The “Succeed in Ireland” initiative has been in existence since March 2012. The initiative launched by the government, is managed by IDA Ireland and executed under contract by Connect Ireland.

Connect Ireland on IDA’s behalf, markets, promotes and implements the ‘Succeed in Ireland’ initiative in the international marketplace. Under the contract, operational arrangements between Connect Ireland and IDA work to convert potential leads identified by ‘Connectors’ into investments and job creation in Ireland.

Up to the 15^thJuly there have been 20 projects approved by IDA under the initiative that have the potential to create 498 jobs.

Under the agreed terms of the ‘Succeed in Ireland’ initiative contract Connect Ireland have covered all start-up costs associated with their establishment. The scheme provides a financial reward of up to €4,000 excluding VAT to Connect Ireland / Connectors per sustainable job created. Payments will be made on a phased basis by IDA Ireland on behalf of the Government for each sustainable job in place for a period of over 2 years. As we have yet to reach that period of time for any of the projects approved to date there have been no payments made under the initiative by IDA Ireland.