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Job Initiatives

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 June 2013

Thursday, 27 June 2013

Ceisteanna (150)

Heather Humphreys

Ceist:

150. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will consider establishing a north-east forum in order to encourage Industrial Development Agency investment in the Border area in view of recent figures which show that only three jobs were created by IDA companies in County Monaghan in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31420/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department and its agencies are working together to address the unemployment problem that is currently experienced throughout the country as a whole by implementing the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs which aims to create 100,000 net new jobs over the period 2012 to 2016.

IDA Ireland has statutory responsibility to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Ireland. At the end of 2012 there were 6 IDA Ireland supported companies in Monaghan employing 350 people. In accordance with its Horizon 2020 Strategy, IDA Ireland continues to engage with these client companies in order to transform the existing FDI base with a view to developing, retaining and growing employment opportunities.

As Ireland competes for high quality investments, the concept of scale is crucial. Leading global corporations require a significant population pool, access to qualified talent, world standard physical and digital infrastructure coupled with the availability of sophisticated professional and business support services. In order to achieve balanced regional economic development, IDA prioritises the marketing of its Gateway locations within each Region as the locations of critical mass and highlights the opportunities provided by other locations on an opportunistic basis, which are within commuting distances of these Gateways.

County Monaghan is part of IDA’s North East Region along with Counties Cavan and Louth. Through its network of overseas offices, IDA Ireland markets the North East Region for new inward investment through the Gateway of Dundalk. In addition, the Agency works closely with all of its 34 client companies in the Region which currently employ 3,200 people, to encourage them to further develop their engagement in the region.

With continuing enhancement and improvements in physical and digital infrastructure, an FDI project secured for one county in the Region has a positive impact on other counties in the Region.

I consider that it is neither practicable nor effective to establish jobs task forces or specific jobs plans around the country as a general mechanism to address high unemployment. I believe that to embark on such a course would involve diverting the various State Agencies from their on-going efforts to create jobs. A considerable administrative commitment is involved in servicing any additional committees and groups which may be set up and, given the constrained staff resources facing all public sector bodies at present, I am strongly of the opinion that establishing such additional groups, except in very exceptional circumstances, would not be in the best interests of using the State’s resources effectively.

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