Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 October 2023
19. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline the engagement he, along with his Department and the IDA, have had with the State's tech sector in the past three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44396/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe tech sector plays a pivotal role to the Irish economy, with 320 IDA client companies in the sector employing over 64,000 people. I regularly engage with tech companies through my own office and through officials in my Department and our agencies.
IDA Ireland has strong engagement with its technology client base to actively support clients through new mandates, expansions, sustainability and digital transformation initiatives and to offer support when companies are downsizing.
There has been modest contraction for some tech clients over the past 12 months. In most cases, the level of job losses has been consistent with, or less than, the level layoffs implemented elsewhere in their global organisations.
IDA Ireland continues to see a flow of business and in the last year has announced several new investments in microelectronics and semiconductors, in cloud computing, and in data storage. It is important to note that technology company commitment to Ireland remains exceptionally strong and Ireland remains an attractive location of choice for companies. Key investments of scale recently announced include, for example, from ADI, Intel and AMD.
