Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 February 2013
38. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the next action plan for jobs will contain specific measures that take account of regional disparity in unemployment rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9088/13]
View answer39. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the next action plan on jobs will include specific regional measures in view of the geographical disparity in unemployment rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9073/13]
View answer43. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the next action plan on jobs will place a particular emphasis on targeting unemployment black spots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9102/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 39 and 43 together.
The Action Plan for Jobs is a national plan aimed at providing a supporting operating environment for businesses to start up and expand. The Action Plan does not include specific regional sub-plans. However, many of the actions which will be contained in the 2013 Plan will have a positive impact at regional and local level. For example, the restructuring of the CEBs and the establishment of the Local Enterprise Offices will provide an enhanced level of supports for business start-ups throughout the country, while the continued roll-out of the new INTREO employment services by the Department of Social Protection will offer practical, tailored employment services and supports for jobseekers and employers alike.
IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland will continue to support job creation projects throughout the country and in all regions. In 2012, IDA Ireland client companies created a total of 12,722 new jobs, with net job creation of 6,570, representing the highest level of growth in a decade. The agency attracted 145 individual investments, with 66 of those from companies coming to Ireland for the first time. Apart from companies locating in Dublin, investments were also announced for a number of regional locations including Letterkenny, Sligo, Mayo, Westport, Galway, Louth, Dundalk, Drogheda, Kildare, Leixlip, Kilkenny, Bray, Cork and Limerick. IDA Ireland has also made a further 12 announcements so far in 2013. Seven of these announcements relate to investments in Cork, Dundalk, Waterford and Limerick and are expected to create over 637 jobs in those locations. Enterprise Ireland client companies increased their employment by over 3,300 in 2012. Meanwhile, commitments to new jobs in the future by Enterprise Ireland clients amounted to over 7,000, exceeding the target of 6,250 for the year. These included two separate announcements by Eishtec which are expected to create 500 jobs in total in Waterford and Wexford, and a major investment by the Kerry Group in Kildare which will create up to 900 jobs.
