Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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306. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the details regarding IDA client companies (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52869/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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IDA Ireland continues to highlight the benefits of expanding or locating in all of our regions, including County Donegal. There are 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 in 2017 based in regional locations.

There has been a steady and positive increase in employment numbers in IDA Ireland client companies in Donegal over the past number of years. The County has experienced a 52% increase in FDI-driven employment since 2012, with job numbers in the Agency's client firms there increasing from 2,223 in 2012 to 3,389 at the end of last year. This compares very favourably to the national average increase of 31% in FDI employment across that same period. In 2017 alone, the number of IDA supported jobs in Donegal increased by 11%, with the County now home to 12 IDA companies including SITA, Optibelt and Pramerica.

While progress has been made in helping to generate new economic opportunities in Donegal, the Government remains determined to achieve more. That is why work is continuing to unlock further the economic potential in the County. The IDA remains pivotal to this and the Agency is engaging with its clients and with other enterprise agencies to create jobs and source new investment for Donegal.

The table below provides details on the IDA client companies based in Donegal, including the year they located in the County and their current employment ranges. The IDA does not release specific employment numbers by company and year on account of client and commercial sensitivity.