Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 November 2017
100. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the reason counties Roscommon, Leitrim and Meath were not allocated funds from of the €93 million in funding for grant aid that was distributed by the Industrial Development Authority to help develop and support foreign direct investment in these counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50670/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraRegional development remains a key priority of mine and I am determined to help drive job creation all over Ireland, including in counties Roscommon, Leitrim and Meath. Increasing and sustaining foreign direct investment (FDI) outside of our main urban areas represents an important part of this wider approach.
IDA Ireland’s strategy for 2015-2019 includes a commitment to increase FDI in every region outside Dublin by 30%-40%. The Agency made good progress towards achieving this goal in 2016, with 52% of all jobs created by IDA Ireland's clients last year based outside of Dublin. Mid year results for 2017 provide evidence that further strides are being made, with 54% of all job approvals in the first six months of the year being based outside of Dublin.
It is important to note that grants paid in a particular year are not necessarily linked to either the investments won or the jobs created in that 12-month period. Grants are generally drawn down over the lifetime of a project which is normally over a period of three to five years. Some investments which result in job creation may not be grant aided and some well established firms may no longer be receiving grant payments.
In relation to the specific counties mentioned by the Deputy, companies based in all three have received significant grant assistance over the last ten years. The table below outlines the total grants paid in the three counties since 2007.
|
County |
Grants received by companies based in the County since 2007 |
|
Roscommon |
€3,359,963 |
|
Leitrim |
€2,480,200 |
|
Meath |
€7,073,070 |
