Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have a question before me which was sent in formally by Deputy Collins and I will answer it. Regional development is a priority of mine and a priority of this Government. Growing and sustaining foreign direct investment outside the country's main urban areas is a key part of our efforts in this context. To achieve this, we are continuing to make the case to prospective investors that regional Ireland can be and is a suitable location for their businesses.

IDA Ireland fully understands and is committed to growing foreign direct investment in every county. This is demonstrated by the agency strategy for 2015-19. Under the strategy, an increase in investment of at least 30%-40% in each region outside Dublin is targeted.

Real progress is already being made towards these goals. This is partly reflected by the growing number of site visits by investors to regional locations. In 2015, 57% of site visits were to locations outside Dublin, up from 43% in 2014. The figures for 2016 thus far show that the trend is continuing, with 58% of visits conducted this year outside Dublin.

We should remember, however, that a company's ultimate choice of location can be influenced by a number of factors. These include talent, proximity to transport hubs and the supply of suitable property. IDA Ireland actively tries to encourage client companies to locate outside Dublin, but the final decision of where to situate always rests with the company itself.

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