Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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643. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of times Enterprise Ireland and the IDA have visited Tipperary town and County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39608/16]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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IDA Ireland maintains statistics in relation to site visits by potential investors on a county by county basis only. The latest data available shows that at the end of quarter three this year there were eight site visits by potential investors to County Tipperary. It is important to note, however, that data on site visits is not necessarily an accurate measure of the level of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) activity in a region or county, partly because approximately 70% of all FDI won by IDA Ireland comes from its existing client base, rather than new companies.

As Enterprise Ireland’s core focus is supporting the internationalisation of indigenous companies, it does not arrange site visits of a similar type to IDA Ireland. However, Enterprise Ireland’s regional executives frequently visit Tipperary. For example, Enterprise Ireland staff regularly meet with the Local Authority/LEO/Tipperary Economic Forum to discuss issues in connection with balanced regional development. Enterprise Ireland is also represented on the Tipperary Local Enterprise Office Evaluation Committee.