Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 May 2006
139 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he intends to take to deal with the high level of unemployment in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17881/06]
View answer200 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the Donegal inter-Departmental group is still operating; the number of meetings it has held; the recommendations that have been put forward by the group; if a report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18690/06]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 200 together.
The Deputies will be aware that there have been significant employment developments for Donegal recently. In March 2006, I announced the establishment of a new Enterprise Managed Service Centre by AssetCo in Buncrana. The project involves an investment of €5.2 million and will lead to the to the creation of 130 new jobs. Also, in March 2006, I announced that Abbott, one of the world's largest healthcare companies, is to make a further high value healthcare investment in Ireland of €36 million, to establish a manufacturing facility in Donegal town which will create at least 155 high quality jobs with over 45% requiring a third level qualification. You will also be aware that I announced 210 new jobs last September being created by Zeus Industrial Products, Letterkenny and PowerBoard, Burnfoot. These projects are being supported by the Industrial Development Agency and Enterprise Ireland.
I can assure you that the State development agencies under my auspices, IDA, EI, FÁS and Donegal County Enterprise Board, are fully committed to supporting and promoting job creation and job retention in Donegal. In addition to recent job announcements, this commitment is also evidenced by ongoing development and support by the Agencies for a number of business parks and enterprise centres in Donegal. These include the completion of the IDA Letterkenny Business Park, the provision of a 25,000 square foot advance office building at Windyhall, the completion of site development work at Ballyshannon for a new facility and also a development at Buncrana, where IDA is working with a local developer to provide new manufacturing and office buildings. In addition to providing support for nine Community Enterprise Centres in Donegal, Enterprise Ireland has also provided substantial support for the expansion of the Letterkenny Institute of Technology ‘Business Development Centre' and the development of a ‘Marine Biotechnology Centre'.
The development agencies will continue to work together to promote Donegal in order to attract investment and to foster job creation there. However, I also recognize that there have been significant job losses in Donegal in recent years. This Government recognizes the particular difficulties in Donegal and is working to assist in improving the overall environment to increase the attractiveness of Donegal as a location for enterprises. In that context, I established the Inter-Departmental Group on Donegal, which is chaired by the Secretary General of my Department. The Group has met on four occasions, the last meeting being held yesterday, 16 May. I intend to announce the findings of the Group in the very near future, having consulted my Cabinet colleagues.
Finally, I can assure the Deputies that support for job creation in Donegal will continue to be a priority for the State development agencies under the auspices of my Department.
