Vol. 560 No. 5
69 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will visit Killarney, County Kerry, to assess the employment situation in the south and west Kerry area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3151/03]
The issue of job creation is a day-to-day operational issue for the industrial development agencies under the remit of my Department and not one, for which I, as Minister, have direct involvement. These agencies are continuing their efforts towards the development of indigenous industry and in the attraction of inward investment.
IDA is actively promoting Killarney as a potential location to overseas investors. In an attempt to improve the attractiveness of the town as a location for inward investment, the agency has commenced site development works on their business and technology park at Tiernaboul, Killarney, County Kerry. This site development work involves significant landscaping and site clearance work, all of which will result in the upgrading of the overall appeal of the location. In addition, the Kerry advance factory group have commenced building work on an advance unit, BES factory, in the estate. This 24,000 sq. ft. advance technology building will be completed in mid 2003 and will further enhance the attractiveness of the estate by providing an alternative property solution for potential investors.
The Enterprise Ireland annual employment survey shows that permanent full-time jobs in Enterprise Ireland client companies in the South Kerry area continued to show a net increase last year, gaining 44 to year-end November 2002. The agency offers a range of supports to indigenous companies, which facilitate the maximisation of jobs. In 2002, Enterprise Ireland approved a total of €1,900,282 investment support to client companies in South Kerry, leading to company investments of €2,768,140, and approved a capital grant of €183,487 towards the expansion of the Killarney Technology Centre under its community enterprise centre, CEC, programme. The agency is currently working with community development groups in south Kerry to assist them in preparing applications in response to the current call for submissions under the CEC programme 2002, the deadline for which is 25 April 2003.
During 2002, the Kerry County Enterprise Board, CEB, offered support to 47 business projects, 25 of which are in the South and West Kerry catchment area. Future CEB project investment will have the capacity to create an additional 75 jobs spread throughout the county, 44 of which will be in the south and west Kerry area. The board also plans to provide funding for two projects in Killarney and Kenmare for the creation of technology and investment units. In addition, the board will continue to provide advisory, training and other support services benefiting a further 367 existing and potential entrepreneurs, of which approximately 180 are in the south and west Kerry region.
