Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Industrial Development Agency organised visits for perspective FDI startups to sites in Newcastle West, Kilmallock, Askeaton, Rathkeale and Abbeyfeale since 1 of January 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2134/13]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I have been informed by IDA Ireland that data in relation to sponsored site visits by potential investors is maintained on a county by county basis only. The Agency has indicated to me that since January 2011 to date it has sponsored 70 such visits to Limerick City and County. Details of the number of IDA’s sponsored visits for 2011 and 2012 are set out in the attached tabular statement.

As Ireland competes for investments at the highest end of the value chain the concept of scale is crucial. Leading corporations require significant population pools of highly qualified talent, appropriate physical and digital infrastructure coupled with the availability of sophisticated professional and support services. In order to meet this challenge IDA focuses on marketing the Gateway locations within each region.

Limerick, along with Clare and North Tipperary, forms part of IDA’s Mid West region. Within that region the IDA concentrates its efforts on the Limerick/Shannon gateway and the hub town of Ennis. With the improved infrastructure that is now in place, a project win in one location in a region has a positive economic impact on other areas within and in close proximity to that region. An example of is the announcement last September by Northern Trust of the creation of 400 jobs in Limerick. Overall, in Limerick City and County there are 43 IDA client companies employing 6,996 people.

IDA Ireland has explained that, typically, a company is shown three or four locations within a Gateway Economic Region that can meet its requirements and, in certain cases, other locations are visited on an opportunistic basis. In selecting locations to market to client companies, IDA Ireland will endeavour to include locations which have been affected by closures/job losses. However, whilst IDA Ireland seeks to influence the selection of a location, the final decision on where to locate is taken in all cases by the investor.

Table showing Number of IDA Sponsored Site Visits to Limerick City and County

2011 – 2012