Written Answers. - Job Creation.
Charlie O'Connor
Question:
185
Mr. O'Connor
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
if she will continue to give the employment creation needs of Tallaght her special attention; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[1480/03]
The issue of job creation is a day-to-day operational issue for the industrial development agencies under the remit of my Department and not one for which I, as Minister, have direct involvement. The main agencies under my Department's remit which deal with job creation are Enterprise Ireland in regard to the development of indigenous industry, and IDA Ireland in regard to the attraction of inward investment. The county and city enterprise boards are also actively involved in supporting the creation of employment in start-up and micro enterprises.
Enterprise Ireland is working closely with its 308 grant assisted client companies in South Dub lin 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. Enterprise Ireland is working closely with the Institute of Technology in Tallaght, and has recently approved funding of €2.54 million towards a new campus innovation centre.
In 2002, there were over 10,500 full-time and 1,159 part time people employed in Enterprise Ireland assisted companies in the county. Some of the largest, higher value-added companies in the country are located in the environs of Tallaght. Enterprise Ireland has provided grant assistance to the four community enterprise centres in Tallaght towards tackling unemployment. The agency also works closely with the South Dublin Chamber of Commerce, has representation on the board and evaluation committee of the county enterprise board, and is also represented on the county development board, which is finalising an integrated strategic plan for the county, covering the period up to 2011.
IDA Ireland, the agency with responsibility for attracting foreign direct investment, continues to work with companies in the Tallaght area to secure further projects, which will benefit the area. The development of the digital park at City West, the installation of the global crossing cable and the four data centres located at the park, will serve the internet infrastructural needs of existing and new businesses. The area is well placed to attract additional business in the technology and e-business sector. In the recent past, a number of companies in the electronics, internationally traded services and software sectors such as AOL, GE Interlogix, UPS, and SAP have established operations in the Tallaght-City West area and will continue to grow in line with projections. Xilinx, which operates in the electronics sector, will shortly complete a significant building expansion and recruitment will begin in the second or third quarter of this year.
In Grangecastle, Wyeth is nearing completion of its €1.5 billion investment in a new biotechnology facility. Currently, 200 people are employed and this will increase to 1,300 when manufacturing commences in 2004-2005 and the plant reaches full capacity. In addition, Takeda, the Japanese pharmaceutical company, will shortly start construction on a bulk plant in Grangecastle and when fully operational it will employ 60 people. The South Dublin County Enterprise Board is actively involved in supporting the creation of enterprises employing ten people or less in the Tallaght area. The board provides supports such as financial grants, advice and enterprise training to those establishing or expanding their business. Since its inception, the board has assisted 467 projects in the Tallaght area, which currently employ over 1,000 people. The south Dublin board will continue to work closely with community groups in supporting the creation of sustainable employment, which can assist the re-integration of socially disadvantaged groups into the workforce.
In addition, FÁS Tallaght training centre will continue to address the needs of the unemployed by offering training programmes which will assist in securing employment in the area. The centre offers courses in Starting Your Own Business to assist those who wish to set up their own business. Following a series of meetings between myself, my colleague the Minister for Social and Family Affairs and FÁS, it has been agreed to undertake a further roll-out of the preventative strategy on a phased basis, starting with the Dublin region. The roll-out of the scheme to age groups between 25 and 54 years and who are six months on the live register will commence in March of this year.
I am sure the Deputy will agree, from the above details, that the agencies of my Department are working to address the employment needs of Tallaght and south County Dublin and I can assure him that they will continue to promote the area for suitable investment projects in the future.
