Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 Feb 1997

Vol. 474 No. 7

Written Answers. - Job Creation.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

116 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the total number of jobs announced by the IDA and Forbairt in the years 1995 and 1996; the percentage announced for the north-western region; and if he will make a statement on his Departments commitment to and policies for job creation in Donegal, particularly in regions outside the main urban base in view of these statistics. [3896/97]

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

Job announcements by both agencies are selective and so do not incorporate the full extent of employment created, or in prospect, by client companies of IDA Ireland or Forbairt.

The following table shows the number of jobs actually created by Forbairt and IDA assisted companies in the north-western region in 1995 and 1996 respectively.

	Gross jobs created 1995	percentage of national total	Gross jobs created 1996	percentage of national total
IDA	411	3.43	297	2.25
Forbairt	575	4.9	622	5

I have again reinforced and emphasised with the industrial development agencies Government policy on the regional distribution of employment opportunities. There are, however, limitations to the extent to which that policy can be enforced nationally 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. The strategy being undertaken by the industrial development agencies to ensure the best possible regional spread of new employment opportunities is fully informed by the need to anticipate and meet the requirements of potential investors.