Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 April 2017
337. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps she is taking to make contact with prospective investors inside and outside the European Union with a view to ensuring a strong and vibrant economy post-Brexit and the triggering of Article 50 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16911/17]
View answer338. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps she is taking to continues to encourage and avail of job creation opportunities based on innovation and technology here and especially in regards to counties Sligo and Leitrim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16912/17]
View answer339. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps she is taking to continue to compete for foreign direct investment with particular reference to job relocation arising from Brexit and the triggering of Article 50 here and especially in the Border region and counties Sligo and Leitrim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16913/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 337 to 339, inclusive, together.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) remains a key contributor to Ireland’s continuing economic development and growth. The role it plays in sustaining employment here is well-documented, with approximately one out of every five private sector jobs here directly or indirectly resulting from FDI. Last year saw the highest ever level of employment in IDA Ireland client companies, with 199,877 people now employed in companies supported by the Agency, including 2,703 jobs across 27 IDA Ireland client companies in Sligo and Leitrim.
IDA markets Sligo and Leitrim as part of the North West region, along with Donegal. The main FDI activity clusters that have been developed in the North West are in the life sciences and engineering sectors. IDA continues to promote the region to prospective investors from both those and other sectors.
The Regional Action Plan for the North East/North West represents the wider strategy for increasing employment in the region. This plan aims to support the creation of 28,000 new jobs across Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth by 2020. Significant progress has been made to date towards that objective, with 5,600 more people in employment across the region since the start of 2015.
More broadly, the Government is focussed on ensuring that Ireland is best placed to capitalise on whatever foreign direct investment (FDI) opportunities may emerge on account of Brexit. That is why significant additional funding has been provided to IDA Ireland to help the Agency better respond to the challenges and opportunities Brexit may present for each and every county of Ireland. I also regularly engage with the IDA about its Brexit-related requirements and other issues in connection with securing new investment for Ireland.
