Written Answers. - Forbairt Targets.
Edward Nealon
Ceist:
22
Mr. Nealon
asked the
Minister for Enterprise and Employment
the targets, if any, he has set for Forbairt against which its success will be judged; and if he will provide an opportunity for scrutiny by the Oireachtas of such bodies.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, the establishment of Forbairt on 1 January, 1994 brought together the functions of the former Eolas and the indigenous industry division of the former IDA. In so far as 1994 is concerned the primary targets relate to jobs, generation of fee income and rationalisation of services and programmes arising from the amalgamation of the two entities.
Under the National Development Plan 1994-99 the aim is to achieve 11,000 gross jobs per annum on average in indigenous manufacturing and internationally traded services companies. Forbairt will be expected to contribute substantially to the achievement of this target in 1994, the other contributors being SFADCo and Údarás na Gaeltachta.
In relation to fee income, a prominent feature of the work of the former Eolas, the target for 1994 is £8 million. Forbairt will also be expected to make considerable progress in relation to rationalisation of services and programmes, the objective being to provide more cohesive and integrated supports to Irish industry reflecting fully its real needs.
I understand that Forbairt are at present looking at every single one of their services and every single activity within the organisation in a hard-nosed commercial fashion. They are asking which services are most likely to yield positive results in terms of generating long term, sustainable enterprise and employment growth, and how best future services and programmes can be designed to provide substantive support for a dynamic enterprise response, in a manner which represents good value for taxpayer's money and responds to the needs of companies at their various stages of development.
In addition to the short term targets referred to, medium to long term targets for Forbairt are also being considered in the context of the development of its future operational strategy. These will,inter alia, reflect the priorities identified in the national plan for the development of indigenous industry. In this connection the plan states that the primary focus of strategy will be on improving the competitiveness of Irish owned industry with a view to achieving an increased share of international and domestic markets, thereby providing a platform for sustainable employment growth. This will involve capability building in the various functional areas of individual companies and Forbairt will have a key role to play in this.
As regards the Deputy's point about providing an opportunity for scrutiny by the Oireachtas of bodies such as Forbairt, I would point out that under the Industrial Development Act, 1993. I am required to lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas Forbairt's annual report not later than six months after the end of the previous financial year. In addition I am required to appear before the Dáil Select Committee on Enterprise and Economic Strategy annually in relation to the overall Estimate for my Department. Furthermore the 1993 Act referred to also requires me to prepare a review of national industrial policy every three years from the passing of the 1993 Act and to have the review and conclusions arising thereform laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas. Finally the Dáil Committee of Public Accounts, if it so wishes, can pursue issues relating to the activities of State bodies and Departments generally. I would also draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that the Comptroller and Auditor General has recently been given new powers to inquire into value for money aspects of State expenditure generally.
