Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2019
242. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA visits made to midlands regions in 2018 and to date in 2019; and the specific interventions that will be made to increase jobs in counties Laois and Offaly. [20902/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Midlands experienced the highest level of percentage growth of any region in net new foreign direct investment (FDI) jobs in 2018, with an increase of 13% in employment by IDA client companies. While that represents significant progress in developing the enterprise potential of the region, the Government remains committed to creating more jobs and economic opportunities there in 2019.
In 2018, there were five IDA-facilitated site visits to Offaly and 22 such visits to Westmeath. Counties Laois and Longford respectively hosted ten and five site visits last year. As for 2019, there were six visits to Westmeath in the first quarter of the year, with Offaly and Laois hosting one and two site visits respectively over that same period. There were no site visits to Longford in the first three months of the year.
Whilst site visits remain an important tool in helping showcase regional locations – whether in the Midlands or elsewhere – to investors, it is important to remember that the final decision as to where to invest rests solely with the company concerned. It is also the case that site visit activity does not necessarily reflect investment potential, as a significant proportion of all new FDI comes from existing IDA clients already present in the country.
Overall, the outlook for FDI in the Midlands is positive. Westmeath, Offaly and Longford all experienced FDI jobs growth in 2018 and the IDA has been working hard to try and secure further investment projects for those Counties in 2019. With regard to County Laois, the Canadian company Greenfield Global announced plans last month plans to establish a new manufacturing facility in Portlaoise which will create 75 new jobs. This reflects the enterprise potential of that County and hopefully will lead to further investment and job creation there.
My Department, together with its enterprise agencies, will be doing everything possible to support further enterprise development and job creation across the Midlands in 2019. This includes not just working to attract overseas investors but also supporting the growth and expansion of indigenous companies.
