Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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100. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he continues to attract new investment to this jurisdiction from new locations globally; the degree to which this continues to benefit the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18899/15]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The US continues to be the largest single investor in Ireland accounting for over 70% of investments won since 2010. Europe is IDA Ireland’s second largest market and accounts for 20% of investments won in the same period. While the market is challenging given uneven recovery from the downturn, significant opportunities remain. India, China, Singapore, the ASEAN countries,- including Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam as well as South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Brazil, Israel and South Africa, referred to as Growth Markets, have become central sources of and destinations for global FDI flows, with Asia in particular becoming a key player. IDA Ireland has put additional resources into this market place over the past five years and has seen good results with ‘New Name’ investments rising from 4% in 2010 to 20% in 2014 and accounting for an average of 10% of total investments.

Earlier this year IDA Ireland launched its new 5 year strategy entitled “Winning” which covers the period 2015 to 2019. The strategy sets out ambitious targets to boost FDI in Ireland by over 40%, creating 80,000 new jobs in the economy over the next five years. This will bring total direct employment by overseas companies in Ireland to 209,000 by 2019. This will be the highest level of employment from overseas firms in the history of the State and will deliver wide-ranging economic benefits for the people of Ireland.

Ireland’s future FDI success will require continued support of existing sectors and exploiting new opportunities in new sectors. In relation to IDA’s global strategy, North America will remain the key source market for FDI. The Agency will also target market share growth in Europe and increasing returns from regions such as Asia-Pacific. IDA Ireland will continue to target high growth companies in all three markets to bring first time investors to Ireland.