Vol. 462 No. 4
92 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the total amount of State and EU funds that have been provided by his Department or under the aegis of his Department for development of enterprise and employment in 1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4716/96]
Under the Operational Programme for Industrial Development 1994-1999, which is the main EU-funded operational programme for the promotion of industrial development in Ireland, the total State and EU investment in 1995 amounted to £220 million. This figure is provisional, pending receipt of final accounts from participating bodies, and covers all activities under the programme including support for the development of the food industry and the development of industry in Gaeltacht areas.
The primary objective of the Operational Programme for Industrial Development 1994-1999 is to promote the development of a strong internationally competitive enterprise sector in Ireland comprising both indigenous and non-indigenous companies that will make the maximum contribution to selfsustaining employment growth.
The performance in 1995 under the Industry OP was particularly good. There were over 25,000 gross new jobs created during the year, which was well above the OP target of creating 20,000 jobs p.a. on average over the life of the OP. The outturn in respect of net employment was even more encouraging with over 10,000 net jobs created. This is more than double the long-term programme aim which is to create a net 5,000 jobs p.a. Exports by indigenous firms, promoted by ABT, grew by 12 per cent during the year.
