John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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670. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to set down the number of financial services jobs that can be gained by Ireland as a result of companies moving from London; and if the State has done everything possible to maximise the potential flow of workers. [5335/17]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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677. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to set down the number of financial services jobs that can be gained by Ireland as a result of companies moving from London post Brexit; if the Government has done everything possible to maximise the potential flow of such jobs to Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5495/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 670 and 677 together.

The Government fully recognises that financial services is an area where Ireland could see increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on account of Brexit. That is why there has already been extensive engagement at home and abroad – across both Ministerial and Agency levels – with the industry about new investment in Ireland. The European Financial Forum, which was held in Dublin on 24 January, was also a helpful and timely opportunity to remind international financial services providers about the benefits of doing business in Ireland.

Our focus now is converting the interest shown to date by new investors into new projects here.  Both the IDA and the Government will continue to work hard with that goal in mind. The IDA has also recently launched a new global communications campaign which will help target decision-makers in key locations.

While I am confident about the potential to create new financial services related jobs in Ireland, we do need to be realistic about what is achievable. Competition for all new such investment remains intense and we should not expect tens of thousands of jobs to be created here by default.