The attached tabular statement sets out the numbers of job gains and job losses in respect of full-time employment in companies assisted by the enterprise development agencies (Enterprise Ireland and IDA) in Counties Wicklow and Carlow for the years 2001 to 2005.
It is important to remember that job creation and job losses are a feature of economic development in all countries as various sectors expand and contract in response to market demand for goods and services, competitive forces, restructuring and technological change. The importance of gainful employment for society, however, means that efforts to create employment opportunities to replace those lost over time are an important objective of enterprise policy. Where job losses occur, the development agencies — Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, the County Enterprise Boards and FÁS — have adopted a coordinated approach in order to enhance and facilitate the future employment prospects of the workforce and to identify and support any individual who wishes to start their own business. In addition the enterprise agencies work closely with key local partners including Local Authorities, Chambers of Commerce, educational institutions etc to develop the local infrastructure and skills base to best effect.
The enterprise development agencies are committed to promoting Wicklow and Carlow as locations for investment, as well as supporting and developing businesses already present in these county. IDA Ireland continues to work with its existing base of companies with a view to supporting such companies with potential expansions and the agency also targets potential new investment projects in the International Services Sector and high value manufacturing activities. The proximity of both counties to Dublin together with a readily available pool of skilled workers and excellent quality of life combines to enhance their attractiveness in encouraging overseas mobile investment and the level of new jobs created year on year is a testament to this. Carlow's two third level colleges, the Institute of Technology Carlow and St. Patrick's College are critical to ensuring that Carlow and the region develop educational and research capabilities to support existing and new investment.
The continued commitment by IDA Ireland to Carlow is evidenced by the development of a Flagship Business and Technology Park on the Dublin road, an investment of almost €11.5m to date. A 17,600 sq ft Advance Office Building on the Technology Park with 100% expansion capability was completed in November 2005. IDA is actively marketing the building and park through our network of overseas offices.
There continues to be a good level of expansion activity from the existing industry base in Wicklow especially in the Pharmaceutical and Medical Technological sectors. In October 2006 Servier Pharmaceuticals announced 112 job (over 5 years) expansion with €69m investment to increase production of existing products and additional 2 new products. The County's key locations for promotion to potential overseas investors at present are IDA Arklow Business Park (c.80 acres) Greystones Business & Technology Park (75 acres) and IDA Bray Business Park (50 acres).
Enterprise Ireland activity, in terms of job creation, is focused on the retention and creation of new jobs in existing companies, the creation of new jobs by supporting entrepreneurs to set up High Potential Start-Up Companies and also through enhancing the innovation capability of Ireland at a national and regional level by supporting research in companies and third level institutions.
Full-Time Employment: Job Gains/Losses in Enterprise Agency Assisted Companies in Counties Wicklow and Carlow
|
2001
|
2002
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
Totals
|
Wicklow
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Losses
|
-901
|
-513
|
-760
|
-1,019
|
-1,889
|
-5,082
|
Gains
|
1,100
|
997
|
1,184
|
539
|
759
|
4,579
|
Net
|
199
|
484
|
424
|
-480
|
-1,130
|
-503
|
Carlow
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Losses
|
-135
|
-341
|
-203
|
-479
|
-399
|
-1,557
|
Gains
|
217
|
186
|
182
|
177
|
162
|
924
|
Net
|
82
|
-155
|
-21
|
-302
|
-237
|
-633
|
Source: Forfás Business Information System.