Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 May 2013
18. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will give an update on his Department's engagements with the Industrial Development Agency and Enterprise Ireland in respect of economic development of the north-west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24139/13]
View answerIDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland support 349 client companies which employ 10,834 people in full and in part time employment in the North West counties of Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim.
IDA Ireland prioritises the promotion of Letterkenny and Sligo and also promotes other locations in the region as part of its marketing efforts and in response to specific client requirements. In line with the transformation agenda outlined in its strategy document “Horizon 2020”, IDA works with corporate and local management in existing client companies to help them engage in transformation programmes in order to improve competitiveness and efficiencies, enhance their use of technology, up-skill employees, engage in RD&I and develop their business processes so as to ensure the maintenance of the existing jobs provided by these companies in Ireland. This strategy was particularly successful in 2012, with three notable FDI announcements being made in the region:
- In February 2012 Abbot in Sligo announced an €85m investment which will result in the creation of 175 jobs;
- In October 2012 KeyedIn Solutions announced its plans to establish a software development centre in Letterkenny with the creation of 20 highly skilled jobs over three years; and
- Also, in October, GSK reversed its decision to close the Stiefel plant in Sligo and announced an investment of €10m in the plant.
With regard to the indigenous sector, Enterprise Ireland is actively focused on the creation of new jobs by providing a range of supports for entrepreneurs setting up new High Potential Start-Up Companies, the retention and creation of new jobs in existing companies, and in enhancing the innovation capability of Ireland at a national and regional level through support of research in companies and third level institutions.
The New Frontiers Programme, the Agency’s largest entrepreneur programme, is a national programme funded and co-ordinated by Enterprise Ireland and delivered locally by 13 Institutes of Technology. In the North West the programme is delivered in conjunction with IT Sligo and Letterkenny IT. Phase I of the 2013 programme, which commenced on March 23, 2013 with 35 participants, will finish at the end of May. Phase II will commence at the end of June. During the following six month period of intensive full time engagement, programme participants will be supported with a salary stipend of €15,000. By the end of December 2013 it is anticipated that a significant number of new high export and employment potential businesses will have been established.
