Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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18. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Industrial Development Agency sponsored visits by potential investors to County Donegal, in 2015 and in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37942/15]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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There were 6 IDA Ireland-sponsored site visits to Donegal in 2014. In 2015, up to the end of September, there were 3 site visits to the county. The number of jobs in IDA Ireland client companies in Donegal, according to the 2014 Annual Employment Survey, rose from 1,854 in 2010 to 2,612 in 2014. I enclose the breakdown in the attached tabular statement. The figures for this year will not be available until the 2015 Annual Employment Survey is published early next year.It is important to note that data on site visits is not a true measure of the level of FDI activity in a region or county. Approximately 70% of all FDI investment won by IDA Ireland comes from its existing client base. Working with stakeholders is exceptionally important in positioning any regional location to attract FDI and IDA Ireland continues to do so in addition to working with existing clients in all regional locations to generate additional jobs.

IDA Ireland markets Donegal as part of its North West Region, which also comprises Leitrim and Sligo. There are 41 multinational companies based in the North West, employing 5,294 across the Region (Annual Employment Survey 2014). The main FDI activity clusters that have emerged in the North West are in the life sciences and engineering sectors, particularly in the manufacture of medical devices and automotive components. There are also a small number of large employers in the financial services sector, particularly in Letterkenny, and a growing pharma sector in Sligo.

Ireland actively promotes the gateway locations of Letterkenny and Sligo to FDI clients.The choice of location is driven by the client’s requirements and the suitability of the locations within the region. The final decision on where to locate an investment ultimately rests with the client company.

IDA Ireland Client Company Jobs in Donegal 2010-2014