I am informed by IDA Ireland that the agency does not have any units or warehouses, which are vacant in County Kerry. Enterprise Ireland does not have a property portfolio as IDA Ireland provides property solutions to Enterprise Ireland clients when required. The responsibility for local authority properties lies with my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.
The property to which the Deputy refers is not in the ownership of IDA Ireland. I understand from IDA Ireland that the premises itself was formerly a manufacturing facility and the options for the building in its current format are limited. I am informed that Killarney Town Council is assessing what options may be available for the building, including converting it into an enterprise centre. Both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland have assured me that they are available to provide any assistance that may be required.
IDA Ireland owns approximately ten acres of land at the IDA business and technology park, Killarney, which is available for marketing to both overseas and indigenous industry. In addition, the agency has approximately two acres of land at the IDA estate in Killorglin and 1.41 acres in Annascaul, which is also available for marketing.
Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and client companies employ in excess of 4,900 people across County Kerry, while Kerry county enterprise board has processed 37 projects during 2013 which have the capacity to generate 116 full-time and 53 part-time jobs by 2015. Enterprise Ireland activity in Kerry is focused on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs to set up new high potential start-up companies. There are 132 Enterprise Ireland client companies in the county, employing 3,318 people.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House
There are 12 IDA Ireland supported companies in Kerry with total employment of approximately 1,600
people.
IDA Ireland engages with these companies on an ongoing basis and the key areas of focus are to encourage operational sustainability, job retention and, in certain cases, expansion. IDA Ireland also endorses and supports the initiatives driven under the Succeed in Ireland agenda which also engages key stakeholders in the regions regarding opportunities for investment. Additionally, the existing base of overseas companies located in Kerry brings spin off benefits right across the south-west region through direct and indirect employment, for example, indigenous suppliers, logistics, security, catering companies, etc. The Action Plan for Jobs can benefit enterprises in Kerry. For example, the county would particularly benefit from initiatives that have been targeted at supporting the tourism and agrifood sectors.
Many of the initiatives in the Action Plan for Jobs will also be very relevant to enterprise in Kerry. These include the introduction of new financing models for SMEs, such as the microfinance fund for start-ups and the temporary partial credit guarantee scheme; the development of an integrated first stop shop for small enterprises through local enterprise offices; new schemes to help small businesses recruit via JobBridge, Springboard and MOMENTUM and the introduction of the JobsPlus scheme that provides an employment subsidy of over €70 per week to employers who recruit a person who has been unemployed for 12 months; the appointment of business development managers to 37 community enterprise centres across the country as part of a €2 million programme aimed at protecting and growing businesses in the community; and expanded support from Enterprise Ireland for start-ups, first time exporters and the establishment of a first time exporters division.
