John Ellis
Question:219 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the plans, if any, his Government has to reduce the number of unemployed in County Leitrim which now stands at 13.7 per cent. [6570/97]
Written Answers. - Job Creation.
John Ellis
Question:220 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the plans, if any, his Government has to reduce the number of unemployed in County Sligo where the rate stands at 14.8 per cent. [6571/97]
John Ellis
Question:224 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the measures, if any, his Department has put in place to encourage foreign industries to set up in County Leitrim. [6583/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 219, 220 and 224 together.
Considerable efforts continue to be made by the agencies for which I have responsibility, both in generating the maximum level of new employment by encouraging both foreign and indigenous enterprise to set up in both counties and by other measures administered by FÁS, such as the community employment scheme, which directly address unemployment needs in the area.
In 1996, over 441 persons in Sligo and 222 in Leitrim participated in FÁS-run training courses. In addition, in 1996 1,062 persons participated in FÁS schemes in Sligo, with 611 participating in Leitrim.
The county enterprise boards in both counties are also actively involved in effectively complementing the work of the State agencies such as FÁS and Forbairt, by promoting the development of indigenous small and micro-enterprise potential and stimulating economic activity at local level. In 1996, enterprises assisted by the two respective enterprise boards created 68 full-time and 45 part-time new jobs in Sligo; in Leitrim 55 such full-time jobs were created.
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 the two counties include the construction of the Masonite plant in County Leitrim. In June it is planned to start production of door skins on the first production line with the second production line due to be in production by early 1998.
Over the past six months the company has recruited in excess of 100 employees who have undergone training in the US and in Ireland. Total employment now stands at 156 people and it is likely to rise to its target of 330 by early 1998.
On 24 February, I announced that two new investments by overseas companies, with the support of IDA Ireland, will create 100 new jobs in County Leitrim. Lilly Industries which will create 12 new jobs in Ballinamore, County Leitrim, is a major supplier of building products coatings to Masonite in the US. Its County Leitrim plant is a direct response to a request from Masonite to establish an operation close to its new Irish facility for the supply of white paper and a clear coat product. In addition, Westmark of Germany, a manufacturer of mechanical kitchen aids, will create 88 new jobs in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim.
Industrial land and buildings are also being developed at the Finiskilin 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.
I have again recently 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.