Vol. 576 No. 5
168 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total value in terms of jobs of foreign investment here in the past 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30138/03]
IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment to Ireland and its regions. Despite the global economic turndown, the level of foreign direct investment in Ireland, relative to the size of the economy, remains one of the highest in the world.
IDA Ireland jobs creation data are based on an annual employment survey carried out by Forfás on behalf of IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. This survey is conducted in the final quarter of each year, with the results becoming available at the earliest in mid to late December. The latest data available relating to first-time job creation refers to 2002 and shows a total of 8,771 first-time jobs as a result of investment by IDA companies. The results for 2003 will be available in early 2004.
