I propose to take Questions Nos. 474, 480, 482, 484, 486, 488, 490, 492, 494, 496 and 498 together.
The issue of job creation at county level is a day to day operational matter for Enterprise Ireland (EI). Employment figures are published for the previous year on a cumulative basis at the beginning of the following year, therefore the latest figures available are for 2005. According to the Forfás Employment Survey 2005 the total number of full-time jobs created by Enterprise Ireland client companies in the counties enquired of in the questions, are set out in the following tabular statement. Over the period in question a total of 26,657 jobs were created by EI client companies. A further 1,248 were created by Shannon Development over the same period using powers delegated to them by Enterprise Ireland.
EI's activity is focused on the creation of new jobs through supporting new indigenous companies in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors and, the retention and creation of new jobs in existing companies. EI also enhances the innovation capability of Ireland at a national and regional level through the support of research in companies and third level institutions.
Enterprise Ireland has a wide range of supports for start up companies. As part of its strategy, Enterprise Ireland is working more intensively with high potential start-up companies in order to accelerate their growth, help build management capability, provide direct financial support, provide business advice, mentoring and assist the development of exports.
Through its network of 34 international offices, Enterprise Ireland assists companies to create and implement successful strategies for market entry, development and growth. Furthermore, EI's Productivity Improvement Fund supports client companies to adopt advanced technology and focus on skill developments to improve their productivity and competitive position.
At local level the development of Community Enterprise Centres is a crucial part of the drive to create new regional enterprise. In January 2006, I announced the extension of the Enterprise Ireland Community Enterprise Centre Scheme, which will provide €7m in Capital funding in the period 2006-2008. Twenty-four projects were approved under the new scheme.
Number of new jobs created in EI supported companies in selected counties in each of the years 1997 to 2005.
County
|
1997
|
1998
|
1999
|
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
Total
|
Carlow
|
179
|
375
|
270
|
156
|
215
|
184
|
176
|
196
|
204
|
1955
|
Donegal
|
251
|
365
|
412
|
309
|
481
|
200
|
250
|
272
|
396
|
2,936
|
Kerry
|
128
|
167
|
318
|
342
|
96
|
124
|
64
|
83
|
36
|
1,358
|
Kilkenny
|
207
|
216
|
317
|
287
|
255
|
533
|
300
|
194
|
161
|
2,470
|
Laois
|
103
|
105
|
194
|
35
|
260
|
103
|
68
|
83
|
70
|
1,021
|
Mayo
|
286
|
252
|
334
|
220
|
249
|
225
|
181
|
184
|
400
|
2,331
|
Offaly
|
261
|
130
|
161
|
110
|
73
|
490
|
108
|
130
|
165
|
1,628
|
Tipperary
|
113
|
160
|
392
|
234
|
155
|
214
|
175
|
157
|
150
|
1,750
|
Waterford
|
464
|
443
|
605
|
300
|
416
|
424
|
416
|
337
|
150
|
3,555
|
Wexford
|
366
|
303
|
346
|
405
|
371
|
416
|
523
|
178
|
265
|
3,173
|
Wicklow
|
489
|
324
|
605
|
471
|
743
|
653
|
443
|
336
|
416
|
4,480
|
Totals
|
2,847
|
2,840
|
3,954
|
2,869
|
3,314
|
3,566
|
2,704
|
2,150
|
2,413
|
26,657
|
Number of new jobs created in Shannon Development supported companies in selected counties where there is a cross over with EI in each of the years 1997 to 2005.
County
|
1997
|
1998
|
1999
|
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
Total
|
Tipperary
|
241
|
176
|
182
|
266
|
304
|
288
|
207
|
180
|
262
|
2,106
|
Offaly
|
60
|
73
|
77
|
65
|
40
|
75
|
103
|
154
|
40
|
687
|
Kerry
|
200
|
124
|
182
|
137
|
75
|
103
|
109
|
106
|
212
|
1,248
|