Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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256. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of positions filled under the IDA’s winning abroad programme in 2014; the duration of these employments; if all such positions will be retained when they cease; the number of persons on the programme that will be retained by the agency for 2017; if she allocated funding in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39232/16]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The “Winning Abroad” programme was launched by IDA Ireland in 2014. It allowed for the engagement of 35 additional personnel by the Agency in order to deliver additional new jobs for Ireland before 2017/2018. Other key objectives of the programme have included targeting fast-growing alternative sectors and broadening the geographic base from which the IDA seeks and secures investment for Ireland.

The IDA has employed 34 individuals under the programme, although the current number stands at 33. The contracts of all these employees are on the basis of three-year fixed-term durations. As these officials were appointed at different times, however, the conclusion date of their contracts varies accordingly, with a number due to expire next year.

Significant resources are being provided for the IDA in 2017. This includes a capital allocation of €137 million - representing an increase of 22% on 2016 - and additional monies for the Agency’s pay and non-pay costs.