Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent of inward investment leading to job creation from other EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14952/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland's position as a leading international location for value intensive FDI remained strong in 2010 with IDA Ireland securing 126 investments. IDA has continued to increase the number of companies investing in Ireland for the first time while encouraging existing operations to expand and diversify their operations here. The average employment per investment in 2010 was double the 2009 level.

Ireland's value proposition which includes our talent pool, attractive corporation tax regime, strong track record of FDI companies and technological capability remains strongly attractive to many of the world's leading multinationals and emerging companies. IBM's 2010 Global Locations Trends report ranked Ireland 1st globally for jobs by inward investment per capita, injecting renewed confidence in Ireland's reputation for FDI. Also in 2010, the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook, for the key measures influencing foreign direct investments, ranked Ireland;

· 1st for corporate taxes

· 4th for the availability of skilled labour

· 4th for being open to new ideas

· 6th for labour productivity

· 7th for the availability of financial skills

· 7th for the flexibility and adaptability of people

Ireland also ranked first in Euro-zone of best countries for business. (Source: Forbes 2010). These are critical criteria for multinationals making mobile investment decisions.

At 31 December 2010 there were 403 IDA supported companies from other EU member states in Ireland, with total employment of 32,621. Inward investment has continued in 2011 with in excess of 3,000 jobs announced from 25 companies, including Valeo and Murex. In total, IDA supported companies directly employ approximately 139,000 people with a total impact of 240,000 jobs in the Irish economy, accounting for €110bn or over 75% of total Irish exports (goods and services). These companies contribute over €19 billion in direct expenditure to the Irish economy.