Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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28. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding regional IDA site visits and vacant properties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43167/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The IDA remains committed to increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) in every region of Ireland by 30% to 40% by the end of the Agency's current strategy in 2019. I am heartened that the Agency's mid-year results for 2017 show that 54% of all job approvals so far this year are for investments located outside of Dublin. This is up from 37% at the same time last year. Progress is therefore being made in our collective efforts to help regional Ireland benefit further from FDI.

IDA Ireland continues to highlight the benefits of expanding or locating in the regions to its client base and it makes every effort to ensure that FDI is spread as widely as possible across the country. It is important to remember, however, that the final decision as to where to invest always rests with the company concerned. It is also the case that site visit activity does not necessarily reflect investment potential, as at least 70% of all new FDI comes from existing IDA Ireland client companies.  

Site visits nevertheless represent an important tool through which investors can be encouraged to invest in regional areas and the IDA always does its utmost to ensure that investors consider all potential locations. Determining which particular sites may be attractive to a client depends very much on the particular requirements of the firm concerned. Factors that are habitually important to overseas investors include the suitability of local infrastructure, the proximity of transport hubs and the availability of skilled talent. Multinational companies frequently seek as well to base themselves as close as possible to businesses operating in the same industry. 

In relation to IDA Ireland's vacant buildings, there are 17 IDA-owned buildings currently available. In addition, the Agency leases units from private investors, of which 24 are currently available. 

The availability of such an adequate supply of marketable serviced land, together with office and industrial/technology buildings, in advance of demand is a key element in IDA Ireland’s ability to compete for mobile FDI. The availability of property solutions eliminates the lead times normally associated with acquiring property, enables clients to plan their property needs with a greater degree of certainty and allows for the commencement of projects at an earlier date by diminishing much of the difficulties associated with land acquisition, planning and construction. It is therefore an important means by which the IDA can encourage and attract new investors to the country, especially to regional Ireland.

The IDA's regional property programme is another important mechanism that supports investment outside of our main urban areas. It helps to ensure property solutions are in place for overseas companies considering investing or expanding, thereby encouraging FDI in regional Ireland. A number of buildings have already been constructed through the programme and 2018 will see the completion of further facilities in Galway, Athlone, Dundalk and Limerick. Design of similar facilities in Wateford and Carlow will also be progressed next year with a view to their completion in 2019.