Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The announcement of redundancies at Molex in Shannon last November was very disappointing. My Department, IDA Ireland and the other enterprise agencies under my remit are determined to source new investment and employment opportunities for Clare that will help offset many of these job losses.

The Mid-West Regional Enterprise Plan, which I launched last year, will be a critical tool in that respect. This plan is designed to support the growth of business in the Mid-West and its implementation will help to create quality new jobs for the region. IDA Ireland, for its part, has been continuously engaging with Molex through frequent meetings with senior executives in Shannon. The Agency continues to work proactively to attract and win new investment for Shannon as part of the Mid-West region. They are also working to preserve and grow existing multinational operations in the region with a particular focus on increased global business services and high-tech manufacturing investments.

More broadly, the overall outlook of foreign direct investment (FDI) remains positive for the Mid-West. The region witnessed the creation of 1,133 net new jobs by IDA Ireland client companies in 2019 with County Clare accounting for 222 of these net new jobs. The region has also witnessed significant investment over the last three years and key employers in the region include many large-scale manufacturing employers such as Becton Dickinson, Edwards Lifesciences, Analog Devices, Johnson and Johnson, Regeneron, Stryker and Zimmer.

Notwithstanding this broadly positive FDI landscape for the Mid-West, I am determined, together with the IDA, to intensify our efforts in attracting new investments and jobs for those who have been impacted by the Molex announcement.