Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Feb 1997

Vol. 474 No. 3

Written Answers. - Job Creation.

Dermot Ahern

Question:

226 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the overseas jobs established in 1996, both nationally and in County Louth, by State agencies, including the IDA; the amount of jobs lost during the same period, nationally and in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2767/97]

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

Provisional figures for the total number of overseas jobs which were established in IDA and Forbairt assisted companies nationally and in County Louth during 1996, together with job losses, are outlined as follows. These are based on the Forfás employment survey.

Jobs Created Through Foreign Investment by Client Companies of IDA Ireland and Forbairt.

1996	New Jobs	Job Losses	Net Change in Employment
National Total	13,841	6,705	7,136
Louth	70	640	–570

I accept that these figures represent a disappointing performance, but new projects under way in Dundalk and Drogheda which involve the EPC Corporation, the Heinz Corporation and DSC Communications have projected employment of almost 1,000 new jobs. These, together with the significant linkage and sub-supply activity which they will give rise to, will have a very positive employment impact on the economy of County Louth in the period immediately ahead.

I have separately enumerated in response to a number of parliamentary questions tabled by other Deputies the various considerations that effect the location of industrial projects, principal among which is the fact that the decision ultimately rests with the promoter.