Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2017
79. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to attract potential foreign direct investment opportunities to County Wexford which may emerge as a result of Brexit; the number of vacant sites and factories the IDA has in County Wexford; the number of visits she has paid to County Wexford since she became Minister in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23039/17]
View answerMy responsibility, as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, is to ensure that Ireland as a whole is best placed to capitalise on whatever foreign direct investment (FDI) opportunities may emerge on account of Brexit. I regularly engage with IDA Ireland about its Brexit related requirements and issues in connection with securing new investment for all counties including Wexford. Since becoming Minister I have visited the County once, on 9th September 2016, when I met with a number of agency clients and discussed job creation in the region. While I am confident about the potential to secure new investment in Ireland, we do need to be realistic about what is achievable. Competition for all new investment remains intense and we should not expect tens of thousands of Brexit related jobs to be created here by default.
It should also be noted that in order to attract FDI including any mobile investment as a result of Brexit to the regions, IDA Ireland must maintain an adequate supply of marketable serviced land and buildings that can be offered to potential investors. In County Wexford there are three IDA Ireland sites and one private finance facility available to market.
