Written Answers. - Job Creation.
Charlie O'Connor
Question:
145
Mr. O'Connor
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
if her Department will continue to give special attention to the job creation needs of Tallaght, Dublin 24; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that Tallaght has a very young population and needs new employment initiatives; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[14643/02]
The issue of job creation is a day-to-day operational issue for the industrial development agencies under the remit of my Department and one, in which I, as Minister, have no direct involvement.
The main agencies under my Department's remit which deal with job creation are Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. The county and city enterprise boards are also actively involved in supporting the creation of employment in micro enterprises, that is, enterprises employing ten people or less.
Enterprise Ireland is working closely with its 288 grant assisted client companies in south Dublin, including Tallaght, in helping them to increase their competitiveness and their exports by providing business planning finance, in the form of grants and equity, for the development of exports and human resources. Each company has access to the international market through Enterprise Ireland's network of 30 offices worldwide. Finance can also be provided for companies embarking on programmes of research and development to develop new products or services.
As part of its strategy to support the development of new enterprises Enterprise Ireland works closely with the Institute of Technology in Tallaght, and has recently approved funding of €2.54 million towards a new campus innovation centre.
Enterprise Ireland works closely with the South Dublin County Council in tackling unem ployment at local level, and in this context provided grant assistance towards the four community enterprise centres in Tallaght – viz. Main Road, Balbrook, Brookfields and Killinarden.
The agency also works closely with the South Dublin Chamber of Commerce and is represented on the board and evaluation committee of the county enterprise board. In addition, Enterprise Ireland is represented on the county development board, who are finalising an integrated strategic plan for the county covering the period up to 2011.
As regards IDA Ireland, south County Dublin continues to attract major projects to its two main towns of Tallaght and Clondalkin. In total, there are 30 IDA assisted companies in the Tallaght-Newcastle-Saggart area employing a total of 3,477 people.
In Grange Castle, work continues on the massive Wyeth Medica project. The facility being built on a 90 acre site is costing US$1 billion and will employ 1,300 at full production. Recruitment is under way for staff to commence production in 2002. Upon completion, this will be the largest biotechnology production facility in the world. Grange Castle International Business Park is owned by South Dublin County Council and is being promoted internationally by IDA. The 400 acre park is being targeted as a location for other major biotechnology and pharmaceutical projects in line with IDA's commitment to make Ireland a world leader in biotechnology research and manufacturing.
In City West the National Digital Park with its broadband capacity and its connectivity to 25 of the world's largest cities will prove a distinct advantage for companies worldwide to conduct their e-business. The continued success of City West and the development of the park through IDA Ireland, is another major boost to the economy of south County Dublin. The decision by German software giant, SAP, of its decision to locate its English speaking world technical support centre in City West was a significant development. The centre now employs 280 people.
The major expansion plans announced by Xilinx together with MetroMedia's facility to distribute Microsoft product over the Internet are further evidence of south Dublin's position as a key location for new technology investment within the greater Dublin area.
The South Dublin County Enterprise Board is actively involved in supporting the creation of employment in micro enterprise in the Tallaght area. The board provides a range of training and management development and networking initiatives, together with selective financial assistance to those setting up or expanding small businesses. Since its inception the board has assisted 456 projects in the Tallaght area employing 1,045 people. It provides information and advice through its contacts with IT Tallaght and its involvement with local schools in the young entrepreneurs programme. The board will con tinue to work closely with community groups in supporting the creation of higher quality employment that can assist with the re-integration of socially disadvantaged groups into the workforce.
The above examples clearly indicate the roles that Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the South Dublin County Enterprise Board are playing in strengthening the local economy of the Tallaght area and of south County Dublin. I can assure the Deputy that they will continue to promote the area for suitable investment projects in the future.
Question No. 146 answered with Question No. 142.
