Mulcahy Confident Enterprise Ireland Will Deliver For Shannon Region

Jan. 4, 2013 - PRLog -- The enterprise functions of Shannon Development are currently being transferred over to Enterprise Ireland and the IDA as part of the overall restructuring of Shannon Airport and the surrounding Free Zone.

Senator Mulcahy was speaking following the publication of the agency’s End of Year Statement which shows that 13,642 new jobs created by Irish Exporting companies in 2012, contributing to the EI’s highest net jobs gain (3,804) since 2006.

The Fine Gael Senator said he particularly welcomed the fact that 73% of the jobs gains during 2012 have been located in areas outside the Dublin/Mid-East Region.

According to Senator Mulcahy: “The Statement shows that Enterprise Ireland companies support more than 300,000 jobs in the Irish economy and have an economic impact in the local economy of more than €18BN per annum. Enterprise Ireland’s expanded role in delivering enterprise supports in the Shannon region presents significant potential for new business development here.”

While acknowledging the work carried out by Shannon Development in the area of enterprise development, Senator Mulcahy said: “Through its National HQ for Entrepreneurship & Regional Development in Shannon and backed up the IDA and the experience of Shannon Development employees, I believe that Enterprise Ireland can and will play a central role in attracting new business to the Shannon Free Zone and towns and villages throughout the Shannon region. Furthermore, this change in enterprise roles means indigenous and foreign businesses throughout the region will have direct access to the comprehensive range of supports from the State enterprise agencies, as well as to a dynamic international airport with extensive property holdings.”

Senator Mulcahy described the Enterprise Ireland End of Year Statement as a positive sign of what the agency can deliver for the Shannon Region during the coming years.

“Like other regions throughout the country, exporting companies can play a direct role in this region’s economic recovery. It is reassuring to see from the Enterprise Ireland End of Year Statement that 13,642 new jobs were created by Irish exporting companies in 2012. After significant job losses in the exporting sector in 2008, 2009 and 2010, this result marks a significant improvement in this crucial part of the economy. The likely significant developments regarding cargo business and facilities at the newly independent Shannon Airport and the renewed push to promote the Shannon Free Zone mean that Shannon and the surrounding region are particularly well-positioned to attract exporting companies in the future.”