Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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16. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide an update on the work being carried out by Enterprise Ireland in relation to the renewal of employment opportunities following the closure of a plant (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39095/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The closure of any company involving job losses is always regrettable, so I was very pleased to be able to announce recently the creation of 100 new jobs by another Irish food company, Ribworld, at the opening of their new manufacturing facility in Fethard. This facility is part of a new €8 million strategic investment programme by the company, which has been supported by my Department through Enterprise Ireland. Recruitment for the new positions will get underway shortly, and this will bring employment levels at Ribworld to over 175 people over the next three years. This programme will position the company to invest in a major new product development drive and expand operational capacity, all aimed at meeting increasing demand for its products and expanding its market share across Europe and other international markets.

Enterprise Ireland's activity in County Tipperary is focused on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs setting up High Potential Start-Ups, and the retention and creation of jobs in existing companies.

In 2013, over €3.2m was paid by Enterprise Ireland to its clients in County Tipperary through a range of supports spanning from employment grants to trade fair participation to equity in start-up enterprises. EI has 129 client companies in the County, which employ 4,219 in full-time jobs and over 600 in part-time jobs.

Enterprise Ireland has also approved funding for the development of Community Enterprise Centres at Tipperary Town, Clonmel, Rearcross, Thurles and Cloughjordan. Two of the Centres were approved funding towards the cost of a business development manager.

Enterprise Ireland is part of a multi-agency Enterprise Working Group in Tipperary and was involved in organising and delivering a one day Tipperary Enterprise Showcase at LIT Tipperary, Thurles Campus on 10 September 2014. The event attracted over 300 participants and was widely publicised throughout the County.

The next Competitive Feasibility Fund for start-ups in the Mid-West including County Tipperary will be launched by Enterprise Ireland on 27 October 2014 and will be promoted throughout County Tipperary. The Competitive Start Fund and the “New Frontiers” Enterprise Development Programme are also available to enterprises from County Tipperary.

The Centre of Excellence within Enterprise Ireland (EI) plays a major role in monitoring and driving the performance of the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) network, which are operating in every County, including Tipperary. A Service Level Agreement (SLA) between Enterprise Ireland and Tipperary County Council provides the framework for the operation of the LEO by the Council on behalf of Enterprise Ireland. It sets out respective roles, operational guidelines, metrics and other provisions to which LEO Tipperary, as with all LEOs, is subject.