I am determined to support the growth of high-quality and sustainable employment across Ireland, including in County Donegal. Last year, the number of IDA supported jobs in County Donegal grew by 4%, reaching a total of 3,039. The Agency continues to work hard to create further employment opportunities in the County and to increase the number of multinational companies located there, which currently includes SITA, Optibelt and Pramerica.
The table outlines the total number of IDA Ireland supported companies in Donegal and the total number of jobs created by the Agency's clients there from 2012 to 2016.
|
Donegal
|
2012
|
2013
|
2014
|
2015
|
2016
|
|
1. No of Companies
|
13
|
13
|
13
|
12
|
12
|
|
2. Total Jobs
|
2,223
|
2,382
|
2,607
|
2,918
|
3,039
|
|
3.Gross Gains
|
164
|
183
|
247
|
330
|
145
|
|
4. Losses
|
-42
|
-24
|
-22
|
-19
|
-24
|
|
5. Net Change
|
122
|
159
|
225
|
311
|
121
|
IDA Ireland always does its utmost to encourage clients to locate in regional areas. This includes using site visits to showcase investment locations to clients. In Donegal, there have been eight such site visits since 2016.
We have to remember, however, that the ultimate decision as to where to invest is always taken by the company itself. It is also important to emphasise that site visit activity does not necessarily reflect investment potential, as at least 70% of all new foreign direct investment comes from existing IDA Ireland client companies.
More broadly, IDA Ireland markets Donegal, together with Sligo and Leitrim, as part of its North West region. The Agency's business development strategy for the region includes efforts aimed at increasing investment from the global business services and high tech manufacturing sectors.
