Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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40. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the efforts by the IDA to attract inward investment to counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44957/22]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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2021 was a record-breaking year for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) employment, with total employment in IDA client companies now standing at 275,384, up over 29,000 on 2020. Growth in the regions was particularly buoyant, with 53% or 133 projects of the 249 investments won by IDA going to regional locations. Employment growth was recorded in every region of the country.

The Border Region for IDA consists of the counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, as well as Cavan, and Monaghan. There are 67 IDA Ireland supported companies in this region who collectively directly employ 8,721 people. Specifically, there are 8 IDA supported companies in each of Cavan and Monaghan, employing 1,292 people.

The FDI performance in the region has been strong over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 18% as traditional strengths in sectors such as Engineering & Industrial Technologies and Medical Technologies were complemented by new investments from the Technology, International Financial Services and Life Sciences sectors. The most recent announced investment was in March 2022. California head quartered Ultra Clean Holdings Inc. announced that it is establishing an Advanced Technology Cleaning Centre in Cavan, which will create approximately 100 jobs when fully operational.

Key to the region’s success is strategic collaboration with national and local stakeholders on the enhancement of the regional value proposition for FDI. In this regard, IDA Ireland welcomes the significant funding that Cavan and Monaghan have received under the Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF) to date which will add to the placemaking successes and the value proposition of both counties.

The existing FDI base of companies in Cavan and Monaghan enjoy strong collaborative links with several third level colleges including Dundalk Institute of Technology as well as the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) and the Atlantic Technological University (ATU).

IDA will target 25 investments for the Border region in the period 2021 to 2024 and will continue to actively promote Cavan and Monaghan as part of the wider Border value proposition. The agency will build on the strengths and competencies of the region with a focus on opportunities arising in the sectors of Life Sciences, Technology and Services. The objective will be to take advantage of emerging technologies and business models, including home and hub working.

IDA Ireland has recently completed the construction of an Advance Building Solution in Monaghan which it is currently actively marketing to potential FDI clients. As part of its new strategy “Driving Recovery and Sustainable Growth 2021 to 2024”, the Agency also plans to deliver an Advance Building Solution in Cavan.

Meath is marketed by the IDA as part of the Mid-East Region. There are 103 IDA client companies employing 18,894 people in this region with 16 companies in Meath employing 1,911 people.

The FDI performance in this region has been consistent over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 6%. Counties in the benefit hugely from the direct and indirect employment generated by IDA client companies located in Dublin. The Mid-East has a significant ecosystem of well-established companies across Technology, Life Sciences, International Financial Services and Engineering & Industrial Technologies. It has also won significant investment in the Food and the Film sub-sectors. The region is strongly supported by third level education providers, including Maynooth University, Dundalk Institute of Technology, IT Carlow’s satellite campus in County Wicklow and Dunboyne College of Further Education.

The IDA will continue to market the Mid-East region drawing on existing assets, including property solutions and placemaking. IDA Ireland will focus on investment opportunities arising in services, high value manufacturing, and RD&I. As part of its strategy IDA Ireland will target 40 investments for the Mid-East region in the period 2021 to 2024.

I am advised that IDA Ireland intend to partner with Meath County Council for the delivery of an advance planning permit for an Advanced Technology Building in Navan, Co. Meath to advance the location from an attractiveness perspective.

IDA Ireland will continue to work closely with existing clients across the regions to retain and strengthen their presence through continued company transformation as well as pursuing new areas of opportunity for client companies. IDA will also continue to work closely with Enterprise Ireland and its indigenous base of companies to identify synergies, enhance clusters, participate in site visits and maximise benefits.