Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

302. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA site visits to County Kilkenny made in 2023 and 2024; the specific locations of these visits; the results to date of any such visits, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6392/25]

Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

303. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA site visits to County Carlow made in 2023 and 2024; the specific locations of these visits; the results to date of any such visits, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6393/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 302 and 303 together.

Data on site visits is available on a county basis and as requested by the Deputy, the number of IDA facilitated visits to counties Carlow and Kilkenny throughout 2023 and 2024 is set out in tabular form below.

It should be noted that IDA site visits are only one measure of a company’s interest in a particular location and may not necessarily be a true measure of the overall level of foreign direct investment (FDI) activity in a region or county. For example, 70% of FDI won by IDA Ireland in 2024 came from its existing client base, rather than new companies. Also, potential clients visiting Ireland may visit more than one county and may return to a location more than once. The figures given, therefore, represent individual visits and are not indicative of the number of companies that have visited.

It should also be noted that the final decision on where to locate an investment is always decided by the company itself, and not by IDA Ireland, and it can take many years to convert from an initial site visit to final project proposal. Regular engagement and collaboration with stakeholders are important in positioning any regional location to attract FDI and, in this respect, IDA Ireland continues to engage with stakeholders, as well as working with existing clients, in all regional locations to generate additional employment.

The competition for FDI in the IDA's "key sectors", continues to intensify as countries increase their focus on self-sufficiency and economic security. However, Ireland’s value proposition for inward investment remains strong, based on offering a safe and stable investment location with access to the EU market, an educated and skilled workforce, an attractive environment where people want to live and work, a competitive, consistent and transparent corporate tax regime and an excellent return on investment.

Finally, I should confirm that there are 4 IDA Client companies in Carlow employing 1,474 people reflecting a net increase in employment in Carlow in IDA clients of 20 jobs in 2024 and a 23% increase in employment over the past 5 years. In Kilkenny, there are 14 IDA client companies employing 1,460 with a net increase in employment of 369 jobs in 2024 and employment in IDA client companies almost doubling over the last 5 years.