Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2017
63. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to minimise the impact of Brexit in County Donegal; the engagement she has had with the IDA to ensure it secures new investment in County Donegal in view of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22853/17]
View answerI fully appreciate the importance of ensuring that Irish businesses, including those located in Donegal, are best able to withstand the pressures that Brexit may exert. That is why, for example, I secured additional financial resources to support the strategic response to Brexit by our enterprise agencies.
IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are now engaging on an ongoing basis with client companies from all over Ireland regarding the commercial impact of Brexit on Irish firms. The Agencies also have plans in place to both mitigate the challenges and maximise the opportunities that may arise on account of the UK's decision to leave the EU.
I am very much conscious of the particular trade implications that Brexit may have for border counties, such as Donegal. InterTradeIreland is currently undertaking a number of initiatives to assist companies in those locations that may be potentially affected by Brexit. Last year the LEOs, EI and IDA supported 7,978 jobs in Donegal with the IDA recording seven site visits to the County last year, up from five the year before, with one additional visit recorded in Q1 this year.
More broadly, the Regional Action Plan for the North East/North West includes measures aimed at supporting the creation of 28,000 new jobs across Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth by 2020. Significant progress has already been made towards that target, with 5,742 more people in employment across the region since the start of 2016.
