Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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31. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of client visits hosted by the Industrial Development Agency Ireland, by county, in 2015, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2092/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I have been informed by IDA Ireland that in 2015 there were a total of 565 IDA Ireland sponsored site visits by potential investors to various locations throughout the country. The attached table sets out on a county by county basis the number of Ireland sponsored site visits in 2015.

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, as well as working with existing clients in all regional locations. While IDA Ireland does attempt to influence the choice of location, the final decision as to where to visit and ultimately where to locate is taken in all cases by the investor.

The true measure of FDI is reflected in IDA’s record 2015 results. IDA client companies created just under 19,000 (18,983) jobs on the ground during the year across a range of sectors, with every region of Ireland posting net gains in jobs. Net jobs were 11,833 compared to 7,131 in the same time period last year – representing a year-on-year rise of 66%.

Table shows the number of IDA Ireland sponsored site visits, on a county by county basis in 2015