Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

97. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of the IDA's sponsored visits to Dublin, which also visited Cork; and the number of the IDA's sponsored visits to Cork, which also visited Dublin, since 2012 (details supplied). [34721/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Information on the number of site visits to Dublin and Cork since 2012 is set out in the following table.

While the IDA maintains information on the number of visits to individual counties, it does not - for reasons of client confidentiality and commercial sensitivity - release details of specific itineraries of potential investors. Information on how many different specific locations formed part of single visits is therefore not available.  

More broadly, the IDA remains committed to its strategic target of increasing foreign direct investment in every region of Ireland by 30% to 40% by 2019. Progress is being made towards that goal and in 2016 over half of the jobs created by the IDA supported companies were outside Dublin. Projects announced by IDA client companies in 2017 also reflect a continuing trend of increased investment in regional Ireland by overseas firms.

The IDA, in its engagement with prospective new or expanding investors, always promotes the benefits of regional Ireland. This includes detailing the strengths and advantages that Ireland's regions may enjoy over the country's main urban areas. Available properties in the regions that may be suitable for investors are also regularly brought to the attention of overseas companies considering expanding or locating here.

Site Visits to Dublin and Cork, 2012-2017