Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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63. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views that the restructuring of the regions by the Industrial Development Agency will have a detrimental effect on the midlands; his strategy to attract foreign direct investment to County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46478/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I have been informed by IDA Ireland that it has not made any announcement relating to restructuring its regions. IDA Ireland’s Midlands Region comprises of Westmeath, Longford, Roscommon, Laois and Offaly and is a strong cluster in the medical technology and life sciences sectors. The Midlands is home to key IDA Ireland client companies such as Abbott, Covidien, Integra, GeneMedix, Freund, Utah, KCI, and AMS. In addition, it is home to international business services companies such as Teleflex, AXA, NPD Group and PPD. The fact that these international companies are already located in the region makes the Midlands attractive to potential clients as a location. Another factor to attract clients into the region is the construction of a 25,000 sq.ft. advance technology building in Athlone by IDA Ireland, as set out in the 2014 Action Plan for Jobs.

In Longford, there are 6 IDA companies employing 700 people. In the region as a whole, there are 43 IDA Ireland-supported companies employing over 4,800 people in full or part-time employment.

I am glad to say that during 2013, as part of the Succeed in Ireland initiative, Ark Consulting announced the creation of 10 jobs, to be located in Longford.

The Action Plan for Jobs 2014 includes a commitment to develop a framework for a Regional Enterprise Strategy to better integrate the efforts of the enterprise development agencies and other regional stakeholders in supporting enterprises. My intention is that the framework will be developed on a pilot basis initially, focusing on the Midlands region and involving the agencies under the remit of my own Department – Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices. The objective is to enhance synergies between the agencies and their client companies and build on the competitive strengths of the region to maximise the potential for job creation. The role which other public bodies in the region can play in working towards this objective will also be examined as the project develops. The aim is that this framework will serve as a model for other regions of the country.

Additionally, IDA Ireland is working on a new corporate strategy for the years 2015 to 2020, which will be launched early in the New Year. I am working closely with IDA on this.