Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

480. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans for further investment in the region in view of the recent Galway-Mayo relocation survey 2018 which was carried out by a company (details supplied) in conjunction with the IDA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45538/18]

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 Counties Galway and Mayo. 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.

FDI trends remain positive in both counties which together have a strong base of well-established companies in the areas of medtech, technology, global business services and life sciences, including firms such as Allergan, Baxter, Merit Medical and Boston Scientific. The IDA is working hard to attract further such investment to Galway and Mayo.

The Galway-Mayo Relocation Survey, carried out by Collins McNicholas, shows that there is potential to attract new FDI to the area, as well as increase employment in companies already located there. The survey will support the IDA's marketing efforts to win secure investments in the West, where the Agency is already working productively with key stakeholders - including local authorities, the education sector, companies from its own client base and indigenous firms - to create new employment. The IDA also owns sites in both counties that are being actively marketed to its clients.