Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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30. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to minimise the impact of Brexit in County Donegal; the engagement she has had with the IDA to ensure it secures new investment in the county in view of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22627/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I fully appreciate the importance of ensuring that Irish businesses, including those located in Donegal, are best able to withstand the pressures that Brexit may exert. That is why additional financial resources have been secured to support the strategic response to Brexit by our enterprise agencies, including IDA Ireland.

Brexit, or more particularly the response to the challenges it presents, is a key factor in shaping IDA Ireland's strategy and operations. This includes the Agency's approach to regional development, finance, planning, marketing and promotional activities. The IDA has established a specific Brexit Committee to oversee its response to the opportunities and challenges arising from the UK’s exit from the EU. The Agency also has a clear Brexit Plan, which includes one-to-one investor engagements and public relations and media campaigns.

I am very much conscious of the particular trade implications that Brexit may have for border counties, such as Donegal, where 12 IDA Ireland client companies are based. These companies employ 3,389 people in the County. I am pleased that the level of employment by multinationals in the County has increased by 52% since 2012 and we are committed - notwithstanding the challenges associated with Brexit - to increasing these numbers even further.

Employment growth in Donegal is not, of course, driven by overseas companies alone. Enterprise Ireland has also grown its jobs numbers in the County, with its client companies increasing employment by over 100 positions in 2017. Both Enterprise Ireland and the IDA maintain constant engagement with their clients in Donegal to encourage them to grow jobs and investments in the County even further. The Agencies also work together, wherever possible, to spur employment creation. The Local Enterprise Offices, as well as InterTrade Ireland, are also working hard to ensure sustainable job growth for County Donegal and for the wider North-West Region.