Written answers

Thursday, 14 January 2016

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

IDA Jobs Data

Photo of Gabrielle McFaddenGabrielle McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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136. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation how many Industrial Development Agency Ireland jobs in counties Westmeath and Longford were created in each of the years 2011 to 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1712/16]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Employment data for the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation employment survey is collected and reported on an annual basis. Last week, IDA Ireland announced the highest level of employment in its client companies in its 67 year history, with 187,056 people now employed in companies supported by the agency.

In 2015, IDA client companies created 18,983 new jobs across a range of sectors, with every region of Ireland posting net employment gains. The total annual net job gain amounted to 11,833, which compares favourably to the figure of 7,131 for the preceding year – a year-on-year rise of 66%.

The breakdown of the 2015 employment figures by county for IDA Ireland is currently being finalised and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.

IDA promotes Westmeath and Longford as part of the Midlands Region, which also includes Laois and Offaly. The region is marketed as having a strong cluster in medical technology and life sciences, given it is home to many such clients, including Covidien in Athlone.

A digital marketing campaign is already in place to market the Midlands Region to potential investors. This is also utilised overseas by IDA executives to showcase potential locations within the Midlands Region, including Westmeath.

The Action Plan for Jobs: Midland Region was launched in June 2015. This plan sets out over 120 actions aimed to deliver enhanced employment growth in the region over the coming years with a target of increasing employment in the region by 10-15% by 2020. The overall ambition of the Plan is to increase employment by approximately 14,000 by 2020.

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