Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 December 2004
197 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total number of new jobs announced by companies located in County Donegal during 2005; and the efforts being made to create more employment in the county. [33331/04]
View answerThe issue of announcements of the creation of new jobs is a matter for the companies concerned in the first instance. Of course companies may also choose not to announce the creation of new jobs. Thus, many more jobs can be created than formal announcements would indicate. Where jobs are being created in companies that are clients of the development agencies under the aegis of my Department, a ministerial announcement may be made at the company's request. These agencies are IDA Ireland, which markets individual areas as a location for additional foreign direct investment; Enterprise Ireland, which concentrates on the development of indigenous industries; and the city and county enterprise boards, which have primary responsibility for the regional promotion of indigenous industry in the micro-enterprise sector. Job announcements in respect of Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies in Donegal would be a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív.
The Forfás annual employment survey records jobs gained and lost in any one year in the companies supported by the development agencies for which I have responsibility. The survey for 2004 is currently being completed and specific data should be available for Donegal after January 2005. The figures for 2003 show that there were 141 new jobs created in the Letterkenny, Laghey, Buncrana and Donegal town areas. The development agencies assure me that they are leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to secure additional investment and jobs for the people of Donegal.
Enterprise Ireland continues to work with its client companies in the county to assist them grow their sales and exports and improve innovation so that they can compete globally. Direct support amounting to €15 million has been approved for client companies in the north-west region since January 2000, of which approximately €10 million is for companies in County Donegal. To date in 2004, Enterprise Ireland has approved funding of over €1.5 million and also paid over €1.5 million to companies in County Donegal.
The IDA is actively marketing all areas of Donegal for new investment and jobs and has invested significant moneys in developing a business park to international standards in Letterkenny and companies locating in this park will recruit from the wider Donegal area. This is in line with the national spatial strategy and the designation of Letterkenny as a gateway location.
The Donegal County Enterprise Board continues to be active in helping new and existing micro-enterprises in the county. To date the board has approved a total of €645,470 in funding to 26 projects that will assist in the creation of 66 net new jobs for the region.
