Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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139. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the breakdown of the number of site visits hosted by the IDA in counties Galway, Clare and Limerick in 2019, 2020 and 2021, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11427/22]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The primary responsibility of the IDA is to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Ireland and to retain, transform and expand the existing base of FDI companies that have already invested and located here.  When it comes to foreign direct investment, site visits represent a valuable tool through which investors can be encouraged to invest in regional areas. However, site visit activity does not necessarily reflect investment potential, as a significant percentage of all new FDI comes from existing IDA client companies.

The table below details the number of IDA in person visits for counties Galway, Clare and Limerick in 2019 the number of in person and e-Site visits for counties Galway, Clare and Limerick in 2020 and 2021.

In response to COVID, IDA migrated many of its business development and client engagement activities to digital platforms during 2020. IDA Ireland has developed a suite of digital content which can be accessed by potential investors.  The Agency has developed this further and has put in place an E-Site Visit experience for potential investors.  The use of digital platforms by IDA staff has contributed to an enhanced digital engagement with existing clients and also in hosting E-Site visits, with potential new investors.  As with in person visits, a number of locations can be marketed within an e-visit.

I am assured that IDA will return to hosting in person site visits in line with all public health guidelines and continue to position all counties, including Galway, Clare and Limerick, for these into 2022 and beyond.

Regional development is at the centre of IDA’s strategy, Driving Recovery & Sustainable Growth 2021-2024. IDA is committed to the pursuit of more balanced, compact regional development which can deliver complementary efficiency and equity gains, with the overall impact of helping to advance national development. IDA will target half of all investments (400) from 2021- 2024 to regional locations and maintain the same high level of investment as targeted in IDA’s previous strategy for each region of the country.