Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is correct as SITA, Optibelt and Pramerica all have fine new premises. They are growing the work force and have tremendous workers and executives, driving those companies forward with the assistance of IDA Ireland. The Minister correctly points out that 70% of additional workers and employment comes from existing companies. Those companies would not be in Donegal if they had not come a number of years ago. They are doing very well and it shows they can thrive. Letterkenny is a great town and Donegal is a great place to work. We also need to see throughput and a new pipeline of companies but that is simply not happening. It is where the Government is falling down. If we want to see new companies growing into the future, they must come in the first place and there must be site visits. That is not happening and as I said two from 682 site visits last year went to Donegal. Of the total, 80% of visits went to Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway. We need to see this addressed and I ask the Minister to ensure there is prioritisation, particularly in light of Brexit, in attracting new companies as well as supporting those who are there already.

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