Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 June 2016
50. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if County Donegal has fallen behind other parts of the country in terms of job creation; if poor road and broadband infrastructure is a contributing factor to the lack of new inward investment there over the years 2011 to 2016 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15629/16]
View answerOfficial employment figures maintained by the Central Statistics Office show that the border region, including Donegal, has seen an increase in employment of 8,300 from the start of 2011 to end of quarter 1 2016.
Donegal has also performed strongly in terms of IDA Ireland supported inward investment since 2011.
In the past 5 years employment in the Agency’s client companies in the county has grown to 2,530 from a base of 1,877 – an increase of 35%.
The announcement last summer by Pramerica Systems Ireland of its intention to expand its operations in Donegal, with the creation of an additional 330 jobs and the construction of a new business campus, is further evidence of the progress that is being made in the county.
This all shows that significant strides have already been made when it comes to securing new employment and investment projects for Donegal and the region.
Both the IDA and the Government remain focused, however, on uncovering new opportunities for the wider area in the time ahead.
With respect to infrastructure in the north-west, IDA Ireland continues to work closely with the local authorities, where appropriate, to ensure the region continues to improve its offering and increase its attractiveness to potential investors.
