Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 November 2012
346. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of visits the Industrial Development Agency has arranged and undertaken in County Kerry in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53046/12]
View answer347. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the percentage of County Kerry jobs that have come from Industrial Development Agency companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53047/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 346 and 347 together.
I am informed by IDA Ireland that in the period 1st January 2011 to 31st October 2012 there were two IDA sponsored site visits by potential investors to County Kerry.
Through its network of overseas offices IDA Ireland markets the linked hub locations of Killarney in South Kerry and Tralee in North Kerry for new foreign direct investment (FDI). In addition, IDA Ireland actively promotes other locations as part of its marketing efforts in response to specific client queries on an opportunistic basis.
Based on the strengths of the region, IDA is particularly targeting the ICT, International Financial Services and Globally Traded Business sectors. IDA Ireland also works closely with educational institutions and with FÁS to develop the skill sets necessary to attract high value added employment to the county.
At the end of 2011 there were 12 IDA Ireland supported companies in Kerry employing 1,294 permanent staff. Statistics are not maintained on job numbers in IDA client companies as a percentage of total employment in a county.
