Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

65. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans and the plans of the IDA and Enterprise Ireland for further job creation in either counties Cavan or Monaghan in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23012/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government’s approach towards job creation in Cavan and Monaghan is guided by the North East/North West Regional Action Plan. This plan aims to support the creation of 28,000 new jobs across both regions by 2020. Progress is also being made towards this goal, with 5,600 more people in employment across the region since the start of 2015.

Regional development remains a key priority of mine and I am determined to help drive job creation all over Ireland. I am aware, in particular, of the need to create jobs in border areas and I regularly engage with stakeholders from Cavan and Monaghan to discuss how best to achieve our investment targets. Last month I visited Monaghan where, along with the enterprise agencies, I met with elected representatives and the County Council to further examine enterprise and employment opportunities in the area. This included an update on the on-going work to develop a master plan of IDA owned lands in Knockaconny. I expect this work to be finalised within the coming weeks.

Enterprise Ireland supports approximately 303 companies in Cavan and Monaghan, which collectively employ 10,389 people. In 2015, the Agency made payments of €6,058,747 to companies in these counties. This was primarily to support new business employment, R&D, capital investment and staff training. EI’s strategy for 2017-2020 aims to create a further 60,000 jobs.

Progress has also been made by IDA towards achieving its target of increasing FDI in the region by 30% to 40% by 2019. There are currently 12 IDA supported companies in Cavan and Monaghan. I understand that the existing client base has performed well to date and is sustaining a total of 1,340 IDA supported jobs.