David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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944. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs her Department expects to be created by the recent announcement by a Brazilian company (details supplied) that it plans to move €30 billion in assets here; the number of jobs her Department expects to be created by the movement of these assets to this State; the county or counties which will benefit from the additional job creation, both primary and secondary, as a result of the movement of assets by the company; if she expects to attend any official openings of any new expansion, new offices or new premises in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26939/16]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Enterprise Ireland is the enterprise development agency, under the remit of my Department, charged with promoting foreign direct investment in the food sector into Ireland. The agency promotes Ireland as a quality location for research and development and manufacturing operations to food companies all over the world. I understand from Enterprise Ireland that they have had contact with the company in question over recent years with regard to export opportunities for Irish companies.

With regard to the Deputy’s specific question, Enterprise Ireland made contact with the company after the initial media speculation in the first half of 2016. Enterprise Ireland has confirmed to me that they are not involved in the recent announcements in the media about this company moving assets to Ireland and are not aware of any plans for employment creating activities at this time.

I should also point out that in relation to any transactions that may not involve real substance in terms of jobs and investment in the Irish economy, Ireland does not encourage such transactions. Ireland does not encourage the location of brass-plate operations. The agencies under my remit pursue real substantive foreign direct investment – the kind that brings real jobs and investment into Ireland.