Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

IDA Ireland is involved in the attraction of foreign direct investment to Ireland to service international markets. It is not involved in the day-to-day operational or decision-making functions of companies. There is a growing tendency across the world for companies to outsource certain business functions. Companies in Ireland are part of this trend. In all sectors, companies use the practice of outsourcing to enhance productivity, use their resources better, focus on more core business areas and tap into new technologies without in-house expertise. Such business process outsourcing is a fast-growing economic sector in which Ireland is winning substantial international business. Ten companies supported by IDA Ireland in this sector are supporting 4,940 jobs and 15 companies supported by Enterprise Ireland in this sector are employing 5,700 people. I should make it clear that no support is given to such companies when they are competing for Irish-based business. It would be very short-sighted not to recognise that this sector should be pursued to assist job creation in Ireland and thereby avoid outsourced jobs moving to other countries, given that modern technologies make this easily achievable in most cases. Indeed, Ireland has proven its ability to maintain and develop innovation in this sector, which is winning new business for the country. When such contracts are available, it is in our national interest that companies based here should pursue those opportunities and compete for this work.

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