I propose to take Questions Nos. 1269 and 1270 together.
IDA Ireland continues to highlight the benefits of expanding or locating in all counties of Ireland to its client base. It is important to remember, however, that the final decision as to where to invest always rests with the company concerned. It is also the case that site visit activity does not necessarily reflect investment potential, as at least 70% of all new foreign direct investment (FDI) comes from existing IDA Ireland client companies.
It is also important to emphasise that FDI only forms one part of investment in regional locations. Indigenous enterprise is responsible for a significant portion of employment growth, especially in the regions. Total employment in Enterprise Ireland (EI) supported companies in County Cavan now stands at 5,451, an increase of 5% from 2016. In Monaghan, there are currently 5,336 people employed in EI-supported companies which is an increase of almost 4% over the previous year. Companies supported by Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) in Cavan and Monaghan collectively employ a total of 2,304 people, representing a net increase of 239 jobs over the previous year. These numbers reflect the importance of domestic industries and the improving economic situation in both counties.
We recognise that there is room for improvement in Cavan and Monaghan and we are working hard, across Government, to further unlock the economic potential of the region. The Enterprise Agencies under my remit will continue to engage with their clients, and with one another, to create jobs and source new investment for both counties.
The following table outlines IDA Ireland site visits by county from 2013 to Q1 2018. Figures for Q2 2018 will be released at the end of July. Data on IDA Ireland site visits is collated on a county-by-county basis. Information on site visits to particular towns in Counties Cavan and Monaghan is therefore unavailable.
County
|
2013
|
2014
|
2015
|
2016
|
2017
|
Q1 2018
|
Dublin
|
180
|
205
|
242
|
284
|
327
|
69
|
Kildare
|
1
|
1
|
7
|
8
|
10
|
4
|
Meath
|
1
|
2
|
7
|
8
|
3
|
1
|
Wicklow
|
1
|
4
|
7
|
5
|
2
|
0
|
Laois
|
2
|
0
|
4
|
6
|
4
|
4
|
Longford
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
6
|
7
|
0
|
Offaly
|
1
|
1
|
8
|
4
|
5
|
0
|
Westmeath
|
9
|
12
|
28
|
36
|
42
|
3
|
Clare
|
5
|
9
|
12
|
18
|
22
|
4
|
Limerick
|
23
|
22
|
40
|
49
|
42
|
8
|
Tipperary
|
4
|
3
|
12
|
8
|
8
|
1
|
Cavan
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
Louth
|
4
|
10
|
20
|
24
|
22
|
6
|
Monaghan
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
Donegal
|
7
|
6
|
5
|
7
|
2
|
0
|
Leitrim
|
1
|
2
|
8
|
8
|
5
|
2
|
Sligo
|
10
|
7
|
15
|
20
|
18
|
5
|
Carlow
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
9
|
8
|
1
|
Kilkenny
|
3
|
4
|
10
|
10
|
6
|
0
|
Waterford
|
14
|
11
|
31
|
17
|
11
|
5
|
Wexford
|
2
|
1
|
4
|
7
|
3
|
0
|
Cork
|
31
|
30
|
48
|
49
|
51
|
10
|
Kerry
|
1
|
3
|
6
|
3
|
9
|
0
|
Galway
|
15
|
19
|
41
|
42
|
62
|
10
|
Mayo
|
3
|
4
|
3
|
5
|
7
|
2
|
Roscommon
|
4
|
0
|
2
|
1
|
3
|
0
|
Total
|
326
|
359
|
565
|
638
|
682
|
135
|