Vol. 487 No. 3
82 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the impact, if any, to date in 1998 of her instructions to the IDA to market aggressively the west-north-west of the country; the resultant extra jobs that have been created in this area as a result; if she will continue to have this area extensively promoted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3968/98]
It is too early in the year to report specific progress in job creation for any part of the country in 1998.
However, in 1997, in the west region, IDA Ireland created 1,428 new jobs, a growth of 9.5 per cent from the 944 new jobs created in 1996. There were also nine project announcements for the west region during 1997. The impact of these announcements will result in additional employment in the area during 1998 and in the years ahead.
Despite the best efforts of the agency to attract overseas investment to the north-west region, the results are disappointing. In the case of IDA Ireland assisted companies, 279 jobs were created in 1997 compared to 297 jobs in 1996.
