Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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24. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will report on the current status of the Cadbury-Mondelez jobs; his plans to boost jobs in Dublin Bay North; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28410/15]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Immediately after the announcement by the company concerned, I established an inter-agency group to coordinate the response to the proposed job losses.

The Inter-Agency group chairman and Enterprise Ireland representatives met with employee representatives of the Coolock plant on 19May and provided them with information on the supports available to support business development proposals. However, I understand that the company has recently confirmed its rationalisation plans for the plant. I also understand that management and employee representatives continue to discuss various aspects and the Inter-Agency group and the Labour Relations Commission are available to assist in whatever way possible.

I have already directed Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland to continue their drive to find alternative projects for the area affected.

Enterprise Ireland continues to work with the company to sustain its operations in Ireland and support any proposals that the company bring forward that would maintain or increase employment in Ireland.

Employment growth continues to be the primary objective of this Government and we have been working hard to create the economic conditions which will support existing jobs as well as the creation of additional new jobs in Dublin Bay North.

Through the series of Action Plans for Jobs, this Government has focussed on creating a supportive environment for businesses operating in Ireland. We have already created well in excess of 100,000 new jobs since the first Action Plan for Jobs was launched in 2012.

The Government on 11 February 2015 announced details of a €250m Regional Enterprise Development Initiative aimed at accelerating economic recovery in every part of the country including North Dublin. Up to €100m of those funds will be made available through Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the LEOs over the next 5 years through a series of competitive funding initiatives in the broad areas of entrepreneurship, innovation, skills, enterprise infrastructure and job creation.

In terms of specific initiatives for job creation, Enterprise Ireland activity is focussed on continuing to work with established companies in its portfolio. The agency is also supporting entrepreneurs in manufacturing and internationally traded services companies who are setting up high potential start-up companies.

The LEOs are the “First-Stop-Shop”service assisting in delivering start-ups and growth in the micro-enterprise sector. As such, they are available to offer advice and support to anyone who wants to consider setting up their own business or to explore their options in this regard. I would urge such persons or anyone who is in danger of losing their job to make contact with their local LEO. Further information can be found on the LEO website at .

Any start-up or existing business can use the LEOs as a gateway to accessing finance from Micro Finance Ireland (MFI), which offers support in the form of loans of up to €25,000 to start-up, newly established or growing microenterprises employing less than 10 people with viable business propositions that do not meet the conventional risk criteria applied by the banks. The Fund available to MFI has a significant entrepreneurship focus and is open to anyone with a viable business proposal. Applications for the Microfinance Fund should be channelled through the local LEO.

IDA Ireland's Business Development Strategy for the Dublin region includes working closely with existing clients to retain and strengthen their presence through continued company transformation and aligning IDA business sectors with the region and its corresponding strengths to develop sectoral ecosystems as well as pursuing new areas of opportunity for IDA client companies. In this regard there is an increasing trend of foreign direct investment locating in larger urban areas. Dublin is an international-scale city and, as such, has a key role in attracting investment.

Finally, for anyone seeking information on Government supports to business, there are over 80 different Government supports for Irish start-ups and small businesses, which can now be accessed online. The “Supporting SMEs Online Tool” is a cross-governmental initiative to help Irish start-ups and small businesses navigate this range of Government business supports for which they could be eligible. It is available at: