Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Collins for his question. There are now 26,026 people employed in Enterprise Ireland-supported companies in County Cork, a net increase of 846 jobs during 2024. There was also positive job creation recorded across the three LEOs based in County Cork, with 3,076 jobs supported by 618 LEO clients. This represents a net gain in 2024 of 119 jobs. The FDI performance in the south west, which comprises counties Cork and Kerry, has been consistent over the past five years, with employment among IDA clients increasing by 17%. There are 235 IDA client companies in this region, employing more than 51,000 people in the area. In Cork, there are 219 IDA companies, employing 49,898 people. Recent announcements in Cork indicate that Ireland’s value proposition remains strong. For example in February, Infineon announced the creation of 50 jobs and last November saw Qualcomm announcing a $126 million investment, creating more than 150 jobs.

The south west has a significant ecosystem of established companies across technology, life sciences, international financial services and engineering and industrial technologies. It has also won significant investment across all of these sectors over a sustained period, which has contributed significantly to employment growth and positive economic impacts on other sectors of the economy. I continue to emphasise the importance of regional development in the role of my Department’s agencies in driving economic growth in Cork. I highlight the efforts of Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and the LEOs to provide businesses with the resources and support they need to thrive, particularly in areas outside the capital.

See this speech in context