Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Senator fails to acknowledge that. Most new IDA supported jobs are created from existing companies. There are three very good FDI companies in Donegal and the IDA continues to work closely with them. I have just returned from the United States and I have to make the point that the work the IDA does abroad is second to none. American politicians said to me, "How did you do it? You have one of the best agencies in the world in terms of attracting foreign direct investment". I assure the Senator that the IDA is doing everything it can to encourage foreign companies to locate in Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Louth, Sligo and Leitrim. I accept that those Border counties need increased attention and investment, and that is a priority for me.

The IDA's clients based in the county have performed well. The IDA retains a healthy presence in the north-west region despite the challenging economical operating environment over the last number of years. The latest CSO figures show a significant drop of over 8% in the unemployment rate in Donegal since 2011. This recovery is not driven by FDI companies alone. Enterprise Ireland, EI, has also grown its jobs numbers in the county with 3,552 people now employed in EI client companies in Donegal, an increase from 3,420 last year. Both Enterprise Ireland and the IDA maintain constant engagement with their clients in Donegal to encourage them to grow both jobs and investment in the county even further. The agencies also work closely together, where possible, to help spur employment creation. The local enterprise offices, as well as InterTradeIreland, are also working hard to ensure sustainable job growth for County Donegal and the wider north-west region.

I acknowledge that more work remains to be done both in Donegal and across the north, west and Border region in terms of creating opportunities for the people of those areas. As the Senator knows, I am from the Border area and following my appointment as Minister with responsibility for business I said from the outset that I wanted to shine a light on the region for job creation because traditionally it has been one of the areas that has lagged behind. I recently met the chief executive officers, CEOs, of the local authorities in Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Meath and I will also meet the CEOs from Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim. Those meetings involve senior officials from my Department, as well as the IDA and Enterprise Ireland. I am committed to ensuring that we do more for the Border region and I hope to see more investment in the region in the years ahead. In fairness, Donegal County Council and Letterkenny Institute of Technology have done great work. The Government has supported them and will continue to support them.

Another issue is the N2-A5. The Minister of State, Deputy McHugh, and I are absolutely committed to that road going all the way from Dublin to Letterkenny. That would be a wonderful addition in terms of opening the north west and reducing the time it takes to get from the airport in Dublin to Donegal. Both of us are committed to that and it is included in the national development plan and the national planning framework for 2040.