Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

347. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the work of the IDA in securing employment opportunities in north County Tipperary, specifically Tipperary town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43776/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

IDA Ireland continues to highlight the benefits of expanding or locating in every part of Ireland, including in County Tipperary. There are now over 122,000 people employed across 649 firms in IDA client companies located outside of Dublin, with 45% of all new foreign direct investment (FDI) jobs created last year based in regional locations. The IDA is focused, as am I, on increasing those numbers further.

IDA Ireland does not compile job creation data on specific towns and locations within counties. As regards County Tipperary more broadly, there are currently eleven IDA client companies based there employing a total of 3,665 people. FDI-supported employment in County Tipperary has increased by almost 9% from 2016 to 2017 with 297 net new jobs created. The IDA continues to engage with its existing client base to support them in growing their business and footprint there further. Some of the most prominent IDA client companies in County Tipperary include Abbott Ireland, Boston Scientific and Merck Sharp and Dohme (MSD) who together employ 2,500 people. IDA Ireland also owns sites in Clonmel and Tipperary Town that are being actively marketed to its clients.

It is important to remember that FDI only forms one part of the broader approach to fostering enterprise and job creation in regional locations. Indigenous enterprise is also, of course, responsible for a significant portion of employment growth, especially outside Dublin. My Department and all its agencies, including Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices, work together to ensure that jobs and investment are spread as fairly as possible across the country.