Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2019
76. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the performance of the IDA in attracting investment and creating jobs both nationally and in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20598/19]
View answerIDA Ireland is clearly performing strongly. Total employment in the Agency's client companies now stands at over 230,000 with 2018 representing a record year in terms of employment growth and new investment projects. Moreover, real progress is being made in deepening and growing regional investment. For example, 58% of all IDA-supported jobs are outside of Dublin. This represents the highest number of people employed by the Agency's clients outside the capital in its history. The IDA is focused on building on progress made in recent years and continuing to attract jobs and create economic opportunities all over Ireland.
With regard to Louth in particular, foreign direct investment (FDI) levels in the County are trending in the right direction. Louth experienced a 3.5% increase in FDI employment in 2018, with 28 IDA-supported client companies now based there. Those same firms employ over 3,900 people, with 139 net new jobs added in 2018.
IDA client firms in Louth are continuing to grow and develop. Last year, for example, PCI Pharma announced that 70 new jobs will be created at their facility in Drogheda. In April 2018, Wuxi Biologics also announced a sizeable new investment and the creation of 400 new jobs in a biologics drug substance manufacturing facility in Dundalk. These investments represent a vote of confidence in Louth and reflect the County's investment and economic potential.
The IDA continues to draw the attention of investors to Louth and the Border region. The Agency's Regional Property Programme (RPP) is important in that context by helping provide property solutions for overseas companies considering locating in the area. Construction is progressing, for example, on an office building in County Louth which will be completed this year. The RPP also includes plans for an advanced technology building in Dundalk. The wider Border region will benefit as well from the RPP, with new buildings planned for Sligo and Monaghan. I am confident that these will help attract further investment and generate new employment opportunities to the Counties concerned.
