IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment to Ireland and its regions. During 2004, a total of six companies were involved in greenfield start-ups in the Border, midlands and western region. By 2004, a total of 41% of all new greenfield jobs created by IDA Ireland-supported companies were located in the BMW region.
Substantial progress has been made in attracting new jobs to the BMW region given that in 1999, prior to the start of the Government's current national development programme, only 25% of all new greenfield jobs were locating in the region. IDA Ireland continues to make every effort to maximise the proportion of new greenfield investment locating in the BMW area.