Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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493. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of visits carried out by the Industrial Development Agency to County Wicklow to date in 2013; if they were accompanied by potential investors on each visit; the outcome of such visits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37038/13]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I have been informed by IDA Ireland that, to date in 2013, there have been 2 agency sponsored site visits by potential investors to County Wicklow. IDA cannot comment on the details of site visits as this is commercially sensitive information.

As Ireland competes for high quality investments, the concept of scale is crucial. Leading global corporations require a significant population pool, access to qualified talent, world standard physical and digital infrastructure coupled with the availability of sophisticated professional and business support services.

The East Region, which includes Wicklow, has been particularly successful in recent years in terms of attracting inward investment from FDI companies and employing 67,860 people. At present, there are 17 IDA supported companies in Co. Wicklow employing 2,267 people. IDA Ireland has strong relationships with these companies and works closely with them to ensure their long term sustainability and to encourage their growth, development and continuing re-investment in their sites.

I am determined to ensure that Ireland can continue to compete globally for foreign direct investment. In winning such investments, I am, however, mindful of the need to address the concerns that have been expressed to me by Deputies on all sides of the House about the relatively low level of site visits to certain regional locations. I have, accordingly, requested IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland to work with my Department so that we can explore what further initiatives we can take to ensure we have a better approach to enterprise development in regional locations. This exercise will complement the in-depth analysis of our FDI strategy which is currently being undertaken. This analysis, will take account of factors such as key trends emerging in FDI best practice internationally, Ireland’s strengths in attracting FDI, the changes to the EU’s State Aid rules that will be introduced in 2014 and our approach to regional development will inform the formulation of an appropriate FDI strategy for the period post 2014.