Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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380. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will outline in tabular form, by county, the number of industrial development agency created jobs and the number of IDA Ireland led visits by investors from 1 January to 30 June 2014; the number of IDA Ireland created jobs currently in each county; the initiatives he is taking to address the jobless situation in County Kerry regarding providing sustainable full-time jobs for the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32907/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Details of the total number of IDA Ireland jobs by county along with the number of jobs created for 2013 and the number of site visits from 1 January to the end of June 2014 are outlined in the following tabular statement. Job figures for 2014 will not be available until early next year.

There are many complex factors influencing investor location decision-making such as the increasing preference of investors globally for cities of scale with 1 million plus population, significant challenges from lower cost locations in the UK and Eastern Europe and attractive regional aid.

At the end of2013 there were 12 IDA Ireland supported companies in Kerry employing 1,638people. IDA Ireland has strong relationships with all these companies and works closely with them to ensure their long term sustainability and to encourage their growth, development and continuing re-investment in their sites. The primary opportunity for regional locations is in respect of the existing client base and potential further investment opportunities from same. Approximately 70% of all FDI investments won by IDA Ireland is from the existing client base. IDA Ireland works closely with third level educational institutions in the region so that the skill-sets necessary to attract high value added employment to the Region are being developed.

When marketing Kerry for new inward investment IDA Ireland particularly focuses on the ICT (incl. software), International Financial Services and Globally Traded Business sectors.

The Action Plan for Jobs 2014 includes a commitment to develop a framework for a Regional Enterprise Strategy to better integrate the efforts of the enterprise development agencies and other regional stakeholders in supporting enterprises. My intention is that the framework will be developed on a pilot basis initially, focusing on the Midlands region, and involving the agencies under the remit of my own Department – Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices The objective is to enhance synergies between the agencies and their client companies and build on the competitive strengths of the region to maximise the potential for job creation. The role which other public bodies in the region can play in working towards this objective will also be examined as the project develops. The aim is that this framework will serve as a model for other regions of the country.

IDA Ireland has assured me that it will continue to promote Kerry as part of its marketing efforts, in response to specific client queries and also on an opportunistic basis for the purpose of winning FDI projects for the county.We must also remember that it is the investor in all cases who decides where to invest and an investment win for Ireland regardless of the location has to be seen as a plus for the country as a whole.

Table shows employment data by County during 2013 and the number of site visits for from 1 January to 30 June 2014

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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381. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of site visits conducted by the industrial development agency that took place during 2013 and the first six months of 2014 in Waterford city and county. [32995/14]

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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382. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of industrial development agency created jobs that exist in Waterford city and county currently; and the number that existed ten years ago. [32996/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 381 and 382 together.

I am informed by IDA Ireland that during 2013 there were 14 IDA Ireland sponsored site visits by potential investors to County Waterford with an additional 5 visits up until the end of June 2014. These site visits were from new companies visiting the location for the first time and from senior executives of existing companies.

There are many complex factors influencing investor location decision-making such as the increasing preference of investors globally for cities of scale with 1 million plus population, significant challenges from lower cost locations in the UK and Eastern Europe and attractive regional aid.

The Forfás Annual Employment Survey reports on the number of jobs gained and lost in the enterprise development agencies. The survey is conducted on an annual basis and aggregated at county level. Details of the total number of jobs in Waterford City and County currently and in 2004 are set out in the following tabular statement.

Table shows employment data in Waterford City and County in 2004 and 2014