Andrew Boylan
Question:59 Mr. Boylan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs created in Counties Cavan and Monaghan in the past two years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12248/99]
Written Answers. - Job Creation.
Nora Owen
Question:80 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs created in Counties Cavan and Monaghan in the past two years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12343/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 80 together.
The annual employment survey undertaken by Forfás and data collected from the relevant county enterprise boards indicate that, in firms assisted by the development agencies for which I am responsible, employment creation in the relevant counties was as follows:
|
No. Full Time Jobs Created under Aegis of Agencies Reporting to Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment |
No. Full Time Jobs Created under Aegis of County Enterprise Boards |
|
|
1997 |
||
|
Leitrim |
316 |
58 |
|
Cavan |
292 |
82 |
|
Monaghan |
322 |
61 |
|
1998 |
||
|
Leitrim |
92 |
54 |
|
Cavan |
361 |
86 |
|
Monaghan |
484 |
60 |
|
Total |
||
|
Leitrim |
408 |
112 |
|
Cavan |
653 |
168 |
|
Monaghan |
806 |
121 |
|
1,867 |
401 |
These employment figures are an indication of the progress being made on enterprise development in the counties concerned. Furthermore, economic growth is boosting regional prosperity and is having a positive impact on local economies. Evidence of local economic improvement and overall employment expansion, of which agency-assisted job creation is only a part, is also reflected in unemployment data for the counties concerned where, in the two years to March 1999, the numbers on the live register have shrunk by 1,042 or by 13 per cent.
Government policy places particular emphasis on improving the potential for job creation in less advantaged parts of the country and these counties are expected to retain Objective One status for the next round of structural funds. These counties will also benefit from my intention to ensure there is a greater regional balance in future industrial policy and enterprise investment.