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IDA Ireland Site Visits

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2019

Tuesday, 12 February 2019

Questions (326)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

326. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA Ireland site visits to County Limerick in each of the years 2011 to 2018, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6283/19]

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Written answers

Regional development is a key priority for my Department. We understand the importance of achieving the best possible spread of employment and investment across the country and we have been working hard towards that goal. Significant progress has already been made, with 58% of all IDA client-supported employment now located outside of Dublin. This figure represents the highest such figure in the history of the Agency. Our aim is to increase this percentage further in 2019.

Limerick forms part of the IDA's Mid-West region, along with County Clare and North Tipperary. There are 56 IDA supported client companies in the County, which collectively employ approximately 12,000 people. Limerick is home to a number of prominent multinationals who have shown significant commitment to the County with companies such as Northern Trust and Stryker continuing to perform well.

Site visits represent a valuable tool through which investors can be encouraged to invest in regional areas. However, as I have said before, site visit activity does not necessarily reflect investment potential, as almost 70% of all new FDI comes from existing IDA client companies.

I want to emphasise that the IDA does its utmost to encourage its clients to locate or expand in regional Ireland. This is just as much a priority for the Agency as it is for my Department and the Government. Indeed, the IDA is continuing to target an increase of investment of 30% to 40% in every region by the end of its current strategy in 2019. At the same time, we must recognise that the final decision as to where to invest always rests with the firm concerned. It is also the case, no matter what efforts we make to underline the undoubted benefits of regional locations, that certain overseas companies will only consider investing in large urban areas for various commercial or operational reasons.

The IDA will continue to work with both existing and prospective clients to identify new opportunities for investment in the Mid-West. In doing so, the Agency will continue to highlight the region's strengths to overseas firms.

The table below outlines site visits to Limerick from 2011 to 2018.

County

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Limerick

40

30

23

22

40

49

42

35

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