Vol. 549 No. 3
110 Mr. McGinley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the high level of unemployment in the Finn Valley area of County Donegal; and the steps taken to attract industry and create jobs in that region. [6902/02]
The issue of job creation is a day to day operational issue for the development agencies under the aegis of my Department and not one for which I, as Minister, have a direct role. The Finn Valley area of County Donegal includes areas administered by Údarás na Gaeltachta, for which my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, has responsibility. However, I am pleased to say that the number of people on the live register in the Finn Valley area has actually decreased by 101 in January 2002.
As far as the agencies under the aegis of my Department, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the Donegal County Enterprise Board, are concerned these agencies are 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 Donegal, is a priority area for employment promotion. IDA Ireland, the agency under the aegis of my Department charged with the attraction of overseas industry to Ireland, has committed itself to delivering half of all new greenfield jobs into the Objective One regions in the coming years. As part of IDA Ireland's regional agenda for the north west region, the agency has put in place a programme to encourage the development of infrastructure, skills and education in the region to enhance its attractiveness for new inward investment.
