Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 February 2018
178. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if IDA Ireland has indicated concerns that lack of housing, child care facilities and education services are adversely affecting job creation by foreign companies and foreign direct investment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6652/18]
View answerThe quality of our economic and social infrastructure is undeniably important when it comes to foreign direct investment (FDI). That is because businesses need to know that a jurisdiction has the necessary transport networks, connectivity, telecommunications systems, affordable childcare provision, schools, universities and housing stock to sustain investment and the jobs that go with it. Ireland has made great strides over the past several decades in improving our own national infrastructure, which is partly why overseas firms continue to locate here.
The IDA's record results for 2017 show that Ireland remains one of the most attractive jurisdictions in the world for FDI. That is attributable both to the quality of our infrastructure but also to our talented workforce, pro-enterprise policy approach and track record as a home to global businesses. Our membership of the EU and Eurozone are other key attractions to investors.
While FDI levels in Ireland are at record highs, the Government, together with the IDA, engages regularly with businesses about how to improve Ireland's offering further to international investors. This includes listening to any concerns firms may have about issues that affect their capacity to recruit and hire workers.
It is the case, of course, that Ireland operates in a global market for FDI. Many of the jurisdictions that we compete with for investment have challenges of their own when it comes to attracting overseas companies. While Ireland, like other States, needs to improve the quality of its infrastructure, the levels of investment that we continue to attract reflect the confidence that international companies have in our country.
