Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 26 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 3

Written Answers. - Job Creation.

Gerry Reynolds

Ceist:

96 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on whether this Government has delivered employment to the people of County Leitrim, other than temporary employment in training community employment schemes. [6367/02]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

I share the Deputy's concern in relation to the employment situation in County Leitrim. I wish to emphasise that the Government, through the enterprise development agencies, is committed to ensuring an equitable distribution of job opportunities and to encouraging the establishment of industry in the regions. In particular, the Border, midlands and west region, which includes County Leitrim, is a priority area for employment promotion by the agencies concerned – IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the county enterprise boards.

The latest CSO live register analysis shows that those claiming unemployment benefits in the north-west region, counties Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo, fell from 17,822 in March 1997 to 13,347 at the end of 2001, a drop of 25%. To maintain this trend, the development agencies are continuing to be particularly proactive in the region. The number of jobs created by companies assisted by these agencies in County Leitrim over the past five years, 1997-2001, is set out in tabular form below.

Year	Jobs created
1997	322
1998	94
1999	162
2000	129
2001	394

Leitrim is a priority area for IDA Ireland which continues to market the location for new inward investment. Over recent years the county has seen major new investment from overseas companies such as Masonite, MBNA and Eaton Automotive. IDA Ireland is in the process of developing a new advance facility in Carrick-on-Shannon and this building will be used to assist in the marketing of the location. IDA Ireland is currently involved with the Leitrim County Development Board, in the development of a comprehensive seven-year plan for the county with the aim of ensuring that the county is well placed to secure new inward investment. IDA Ireland is also continuing to work closely with Leitrim County Council to enhance the infrastructure in the county.

Enterprise Ireland continues to be committed to supporting the development of new enterprises with a view to the creation of more jobs in County Leitrim, taking action across a wide range of initiatives. Specifically, in recent years, Enterprise Ireland has been involved in facilitating the development of community enterprise centres in Mohill, Manorhamilton, and Carrick-on-Shannon. In addition, Enterprise Ireland has facilitated clients to purchase industrial land from IDA Ireland with a view to creating more enterprise space, including companies and groups in Carrick-on-Shannon, Rooskey, Ballinamore and Manorhamilton. Enterprise Ireland also continues to approve investment in client companies in Leitrim, amounting to €381,058 investment in 2001.

Under the MicroEnterprise measure of the BMW Regional Operational Programme 2000-2006, the Leitrim County Enterprise Board provides support to micro-enterprises in County Leitrim, through investment in assets, employment and feasibility studies managerial training, enterprise education and women-in-business initiatives. In 2001, Leitrim CEB supported the creation of 42 new jobs in enterprises employing fewer than ten people and expenditure by Leitrim CEB during 2001 amounted to €421,553.