Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 34: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of foreign investors she has, through the Industrial Development Authority, brought to each of the counties of Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim and Donegal to date in 2009; if she is satisfied that an effort is being made to find foreign investors for the Border region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40773/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I have been informed by IDA Ireland that to date in 2009 the agency hosted 29 itineraries by potential investors to Louth and three to Donegal. The agency has also informed me that in the same period there have been no such site visits to Monaghan, Cavan or Leitrim. While IDA Ireland can and does encourage clients to visit particular locations, the final decision on where to visit or locate is taken in all cases by the clients.

Through its network of overseas offices, IDA Ireland is actively marketing the counties of Louth, Monaghan, Cavan Leitrim and Donegal for new and expansion investments across a wide range of sectors. In line with the National Spatial Strategy, the agency is concentrating its efforts in this area on the Gateway and Hub locations. This strategy involves matching investor requirements with the competencies, infrastructure and critical mass of the Gateway and Hub locations to secure the maximum number of investments for Ireland.

In the present competitive global market, as Ireland competes for new investments at the highest end of the value chain, the concept of scale is crucial to our ability to win FDI projects. Leading corporations require a significant population of highly qualified talent, effective physical and digital infrastructure, coupled with availability of sophisticated professional support services. If we are to continue being successful in realising a large proportion of FDI investments outside of the larger cities, we must adhere to the framework on which the NSS is constructed. IDA has in recent years set a high level target to deliver in excess of 60% of investments outside the Greater Dublin Area. In 2008 this target was achieved and in these five counties mentioned here the area total of 51 IDA supported companies employing a total of 6,117 people. Enterprise Ireland and the county enterprise boards continue to play a critical role in nurturing indigenous industry across the Border region. Important infrastructural investment in roads and broadband are taking place to increase the attractiveness of the region for start ups and companies wishing to expand.