IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for attracting foreign direct investment, FDI, to Ireland and its regions. While I may give general policy directives to IDA Ireland, I am precluded under the Industrial Development Acts from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others.
A total of four new greenfield projects by foreign companies have been approved for Limerick city and county and north Tipperary since 2000, one each in 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2004. The total number of jobs projected for these companies was 447. It would take several years — perhaps up to seven — to reach the projected total. By the end of 2004, 66 jobs were in place.
Apart from these greenfield projects a total of 13 expansion projects were approved for Limerick city and county and north Tipperary, with a projected total of 1,543 jobs, during this period.