Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Apr 1996

Vol. 464 No. 4

Written Answers. - Grant Aided Projects.

Peter Barry

Question:

111 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the number of grant-aided enterprises that commenced operation in Cork in 1995; the extent of Exchequer support involved; the number of jobs created; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8318/96]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

I understand the Deputy is referring to Cork city and its environs.

The grant-aiding of new firms in Cork by Forbairt and IDA Ireland is a day-to-day matter for those agencies and not one in which I have a direct function. I had, however, direct responsibility for the operations of the county enterprise boards up to the beginning of 1996 when the boards became fully autonomous local development bodies under an operating agreement entered into between my Department and each board.

In 1995, Cork City enterprise board and South Cork enterprise board grant-aided 81 new enterprises. The amount of grant-aid approved for those projects was £728,845, and 149 new jobs were created in the projects concerned in 1995.

Dermot Ahern

Question:

112 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the projects which have qualified for aid under the European Social Fund grant for pilot schemes and studies; the grant paid in each case; the success or otherwise of these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8320/96]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

I am assuming that the Deputy's question related to "Innovatory Actions" funded under Article 6 of the European Social Fund which focuses particularly on pilot innovative type actions.

In May 1995 guidelines for innovative projects to be submitted during 1995 under Article 6 of the ESF Regulation covering both the application procedures and suggested priority themes for 1995 were received by my Department from the European Commission.

A call was made for project applications through advertisements in national newspaper's. Seventy-one (71) project applications were received by this Department. The European Commission aided by a panel of experts drawn from member states, have considered the projects before reaching a decision.

The current round of innovatory projects applications has now reached an advanced stage with final decisions expected from the European Commission in the very near future.

The current round of innovatory actions is the fourth, with the previous phase (phase 3) resulting in six Irish projects receiving support from the Commission as follows:

Applicant	Project	ESF approved MECU (IR£m*)
FÁS	Guidance for Young People	0.972(0.746)
FÁS	New Employment in Arts and Culture	0.972(0.746)
NRB	Establishment of an Accreditation System	0.317(0.250)
NRB	Employer Resourced Initiative	0.287(0.227)
IPC	New Work Organisation	1.083(0.855)
Irish Wheelchair Association	Employability thru' Training	0.232(0.183)
Totals		3.863(3.007)

* The Irish pound equivalent is indicative, based on a conversion rate of 1 ECU = IR£0.79.

These phase 3 projects are currently in operation and are monitored on behalf of the European Commission by the Department of Enterprise and Employment.