Job Creation.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 May 2004

Wednesday, 26 May 2004

Questions (103)

Michael Noonan

Question:

116 Mr. Noonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of companies with whom SFADCo and Enterprise Ireland have entered into contracts to establish enterprises in the mid-west region in 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001; the number of jobs promised by these companies; the number of these which have actually been established and the number of employees in each at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15853/04]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

The issue of job creation is a day to day operational matter for the industrial development agencies under the remit of my Department and not one, in which I, as Minister, have direct involvement. Shannon Development is responsible for both foreign direct investment and Irish industry in the Shannon free zone and, acting on behalf of Enterprise Ireland, for Irish industry in the remainder of the mid-west region. The following information therefore relates solely to Shannon Development client companies; data are not relevant in the case of EI.

In 2001, Shannon Development assisted 26 start up companies who employed a total of 421 people at the end of 2003. The corresponding figures for 2002 are 27 with 224 employed at end 2003, for 2003, 46 with 176 employed at year end and, for 2004, four companies assisted with 50 employed as at May 2004, giving a total of 871 jobs. Shannon Development has advised that the total number of jobs projected by these companies was 656.