Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2023
168. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the breakdown of the number of site visits hosted by IDA in counties Carlow and Kilkenny during the first three quarters of 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49577/23]
View answerThe South East Region, which comprises counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford, has 86 IDA client companies, employing 15,520 people. There are currently 4 IDA client companies employing 1,515 people located in Carlow and 11 IDA client companies employing 884 people located in Kilkenny. The Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) performance in the region has been consistent over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 25%.
IDA Ireland's property investment in the regions is aimed at supporting economic development and job creation across the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and Local Enterprise Office client base. In that regard, it remains crucial that the South-East region has a competitive, sustainable property offering to enable the attraction and retention of investment and jobs. To this end, the significant investment by IDA Ireland in the South-East Region aims to future-proof the property offering for attracting FDI to the region. The IDA’s Regional Property Programme has committed to progressing the delivery of 19 Advanced Building Solutions in 15 regional locations over the lifetime of their current strategy and this includes an Advanced Building Solution in Carlow which is now complete and is included as part of IDA marketing material for the region.
I can assure the Deputy, that IDA Ireland continues to promote Counties Carlow and Kilkenny for virtual and in-person site visits to prospective companies throughout 2023 and beyond. To date in 2023 there were 4 in-person site visits to Kilkenny and 2 in-person site visits to Carlow. Figures for Q3 2023 are currently being verified and will be available later this month.
