Vol. 551 No. 2
96 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans her Department has in relation to jobs losses in County Leitrim; her plans to support community development groups in building community workspace; and the nature of schemes which will increase employment in County Leitrim. [9868/02]
As I indicated in reply to a question put by the Deputy on this issue in February, the Government, through the enterprise development agencies, is committed to ensuring an equitable distribution of job opportunities and encouraging the establishment of industry in the regions. The Border, midlands and west region, in particular, is a priority area for employment promotion by the agencies concerned, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the county enterprise boards.
IDA Ireland continues to market the location for new inward investment and over the last number of years the county has received major new investment from overseas companies such as Masonite, MBNA and Eaton Automotive. The IDA is in the process of developing a new advance facility in Carrick-on-Shannon and this building will be used to assist in the marketing of the location. MBNA has now secured planning permission for a major expansion of its credit card operation in Carrick-on-Shannon and IDA Ireland is working closely with the company to secure significant new job opportunities for the area. In addition, IDA Ireland is working to develop the existing base of overseas companies in the region, strengthened through the recent regionalisation of its engineering and software staff to its office in Sligo.
Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting the development of new enterprises in County Leitrim and the agency's funding packages for expansions and start ups positively discriminate in favour of companies located in the BMW region. In recent years, Enterprise Ireland has been involved in facilitating the development of community enterprise centres in Mohill, Manorhamilton and Carrick-on-Shannon. Enterprise Ireland has facilitated clients to purchase industrial land from the IDA with a view to creating more enterprise space, including companies and groups in Carrick-on-Shannon, Rooskey, Ballinamore and Manorhamilton.
Recent initiatives by Enterprise Ireland in the area include: a seminar on creating high potential businesses held in November 2001 in Sligo and attended by 60 people, including representatives from Leitrim; a campaign under the Are You an Imaginer title to attract potential entrepreneurs to the area last Christmas, continuing during 2002; a new seed and venture capital fund in partnership with Enterprise Equity; and, the establishment in 2001 of the cross-Border technology enterprise start up programme in partnership with LEDU and the IFI.
