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

Under its current strategy, IDA Ireland has targeted an increase of 30% to 40% in foreign direct investment (FDI) in every region outside Dublin by 2019. The data available shows that progress is being made towards achieving this goal, with 173 site visits recorded in the first quarter of this year.  This is an increase of over 20% on 2016, when 136 visits were recorded for the same period.

While visits by the Agency’s client companies are a useful tool in promoting particular locations, the final decision as to where an investment may ultimately be situated is dependent on an array of factors. This includes the suitability of infrastructure and proximity to transport hubs. Another key consideration for IDA Ireland clients in this context is the ready availability of suitable properties. The Agency therefore requires an adequate supply of marketable serviced land and buildings that can be offered to investors. If the Agency did not have such properties available for investment, it would diminish Ireland’s ability to win mobile FDI, particularly for the regions

The following table sets out the number of IDA Ireland sponsored site visits to each county over the course of the first six months of 2017. Information on the number of site visits that took place during quarter three of this year will be available at the beginning of November.