Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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98. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of funding provided to the IDA in each of the past ten years; the number of industries supported; and the amount that was granted to each company in each of the years. [60755/21]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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In 2011 the IDA was allocated €124.6m Exchequer funding, in 2012 it was allocated €121.8m and in 2013 €124.5m. This rose in 2014 to €130.6m and €135.3m in 2015. In 2016 the IDA was allocated €163.7m, rising to €179.3m in 2017 and €180.8 in 2018. In 2019 the IDA was funded in the amount of €214.5m and €189.2m in 2020.

IDA Ireland offers a wide range of financial assistance to companies wishing to locate and / or expand their existing operation in Ireland including and not restricted to; capital grants, employment grants, training grants and research and development and environmental supports. Grant payments are only one measure of performance. IDA supports client companies through a range of offerings, and it is worth noting that only approximately 10% of clients are paid grants in a given year. Grants are generally drawn down over the lifetime of a project which is normally over a period of three to five years. Some investments which result in job creation may not be grant aided and some well-established companies may no longer be receiving grant payments. I have asked the Agency to supply the Deputy with the details sought regarding the number of industries supported and amount granted to each company in each of the years.

In addition to supporting potential investors through financial supports, IDA Ireland also facilitates site visits, introductions and assists companies with property solutions.

IDA plays a central role in Government efforts to encourage inward investment. There is good evidence of Ireland’s continued attractiveness as a destination for FDI, and investors’ confidence in Ireland remains strong, as evidenced by the flow of investment projects over recent months and years. FDI has shown great resilience and investment is virtually at pre pandemic levels.

The number of investments supported by IDA has grown over the past 10 years, rising from 148 investments in 2011 to 246 in 2020, also increasing the number of people directly employed in the multinational sector in Ireland to 257,394. IDA Ireland’s new strategy, ‘Driving Recovery and Sustainable Growth 2021-2024 has a strong emphasis on balanced regional development. Almost 145,000 people employed by IDA clients are outside of Dublin, where the impact of FDI is even more keenly felt.