I am informed by IDA Ireland that during 2013 and to date in 2014 there were a total of 10 IDA sponsored site visits by potential investors to County Donegal. These site visits were from new companies visiting the location for the first time and from senior executives of existing companies.
There are many complex factors influencing investor location decision-making such as the increasing preference of investors globally for cities of scale with 1 million plus population, significant challenges from lower cost locations in the UK and Eastern Europe and attractive regional aid. Because of the complexities involved in putting together an itinerary for a potential investor, IDA Ireland does not comment on upcoming visits by clients.
Donegal’s industry base is transforming from the clothing and textile industry into high tech, high skill activity and IDA Ireland actively promotes Donegal as a successful location for high-end manufacturing mainly to companies in the medical technologies sector. Today there are 13 IDA Ireland-supported companies in Donegal employing 2,381 people in full and part time employment in Software Development, Systems Development and the Medical Technology industry. IDA Ireland actively engages with its existing base of companies in Donegal, highlighting the ongoing importance of upskilling/reskilling and the need to add high value activities in order to ensure sustainability and ongoing development. I should also point out that some investment and job creation projects in client companies are not simply not announced.
Another focus for IDA Ireland in Donegal is the designated linked Gateway of Letterkenny/Derry. This focus involves developing stronger economic links with Invest Northern Ireland, which includes initiatives like the North West Business & Technology Zone (NWBTZ). The NWBTZ is aimed at promoting the linked Gateway of Letterkenny/Derry in line with the NI Regional Development Strategy 2025. In addition, to boost regional development in the area and win new business IDA Ireland has announced its intention to erect a new office facility in Letterkenny.
In regard to the level of grant aid payable by the enterprise development agencies under the 2014 to 2020 Regional Aid Guidelines, all Irish areas designated for Regional Aid have the same aid rates. Those rates are 30% for small companies (under 50 employees), 20% for medium sized companies (50 to 249 employees) and 10% for large companies. A Revised Regional Aid Map came into effect on 1 July 2014. The provision of State aid to enterprises in the most disadvantaged areas of the country is an important part of the Government’s jobs strategy.
