3,000 local jobs supported by Invest NI in five years

Investment Minister Arlene Foster revealed 2,716 jobs were directly supported over the period April 1, 2006, and March 31, 2011.

A further 545 jobs were supported through the Enterprise Development Programme (EDP).

The Minister stated: “The assistance offered by Invest NI has been presented in terms of employment-related projects and business development projects, such as R&D, training and trade development.

“Whilst not directly related to job creation, these activities will improve business competitiveness, enabling growth and thereby creating employment opportunities.

“It should be noted that Government grant support is offered at the start of a project based on a company’s commitment to create jobs. Based on these financial commitments, the company will then contract with Invest NI to create an agreed quantity of jobs, which will be delivered over an agreed period of time, which could be up to five years. If the company cannot fully deliver their commitments then all the assistance offered may not be paid.”