Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 January 2019
509. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the net increase in IDA supported jobs during 2018; the regions of the country which lost and gained such jobs in 2018; the impact of Brexit on FDI job creation; the cost per job of the new positions created by FDI in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1099/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIDA Ireland's performance in 2018 resulted in the sixth consecutive year of strong growth under the Agency's current strategy. By the end of last year, total employment in the Agency's client companies stood at 229,057 with 14,040 net new jobs added. Every region in Ireland has seen foreign direct investment (FDI) employment gains and there are now over 132,000 people employed in 681 IDA client companies located outside of Dublin, with 56% of all net new FDI jobs created last year based in regional locations.
Information on the IDA cost per job for 2018 is currently unavailable. I have been informed by the Agency that it will be available when the 2018 Annual Report is published in June of this year.
IDA Ireland is actively supporting its clients in responding to the challenges raised by Brexit while also seeking to capitalise on possible investment opportunities that may arise. I am pleased to say that the Agency secured over 55 Brexit-related investments in 2018 with over 4,500 associated jobs.
Despite these positive FDI trends, the Government is focused on our need to remain as competitive as possible. A new five-year strategy for IDA Ireland will be prepared this year to ensure the Agency remains able to compete for, and secure, more first-rate investment projects and to meet other challenges ahead.
