Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Feb 1997

Vol. 474 No. 6

Written Answers. - Job Creation.

Declan Bree

Question:

241 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the total number of overseas jobs which were established in IDA and Forbairt assisted companies in Sligo and Leitrim in each of the years from 1994 to 1996; if he has satisfied himself with the number of new jobs being created by the IDA and Forbairt in Sligo and Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3810/97]

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

The following tables show provisional numbers of new jobs, based on the Forfás Employment Survey, which were created in IDA and Forbairt assisted companies in Sligo and Leitrim from 1994 to 1996:

IDA

New Jobs	1994	1995	1996
Sligo	182	147	142
Leitrim	10	11	26

FORBAIRT

New Jobs	1994	1995	1996
Sligo	6	3	1
Leitrim	—	10	37

Forbairt only assists those overseas industries in the food and natural resources sectors. About 110 people are now employed in Forbairt client companies in these sectors in counties Sligo and Leitrim.

Significant developments under way in these counties include the construction of the Masonite plant in County Leitrim. In 1996 over 350 people were employed in its construction which should be completed by mid-year.

In addition, industrial land and buildings are being developed at the Finisklin estate in Sligo and this, together with other vacant building space in the county, will be aggressively promoted this year with the objective of attracting new investment.

As indicated in reply to a number of questions on this issue in the Dáil last week, I have emphasised to the industrial development agencies Government policy on the regional distribution of employment opportunities and I am satisfied that every avenue, including financial where appropriate, is pursued to implement their statutory remit in this regard. There are, however, limitations to the extent to which that policy can be enforced in relation to inward investment projects. In the final analysis, individual foreign investors themselves decide on the particular locations which best suit their own range of requirements.