Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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949. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on the work of the IDA in County Louth in the past 12 months, including the work done to try to prevent job losses at IDA companies in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43434/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Regional development is a key focus of our Programme for Government and is central to the work of my Department and our Enterprise Development Agencies. In that regard, regional development is a strategic imperative for the IDA who partners with client companies and key stakeholders in all regions in pursuit of its objective to maximise regional opportunities.

Investments by IDA Ireland client companies consistently generate highly-skilled jobs nationwide. IDA Ireland’s portfolio now comprises more than 1,800 clients across a diverse range of sectors in every county in Ireland. The 2024 IDA Annual Report, which I launched on July 2nd, showed employment levels within the FDI sector remain above 300,000 for the third consecutive year. The 2024 employment figure of 302,566 represented a slight increase (0.2%) in client employment over 2023 and accounted for 10.8% of overall national employment. Job growth was recorded in Modern Manufacturing and Traditional Manufacturing, Business, Financial and Other Services also reported an increase whilst ICT numbers saw a decline, reinforcing the critical importance of continued diversification across new and emerging sectors to drive sustained future growth.

There are currently 38 IDA-supported companies in County Louth. Over the past 10 years, the number of people directly employed by IDA supported companies in Louth has grown from 3,647 in 2015 to 4,111 in 2024. This growth is attributed to investments and expansions by various companies which have bolstered job creation and economic development in the county.

IDA Ireland actively engages with local stakeholders and industry groups to create a supportive ecosystem for foreign direct investment. This collaboration ensures that regional investments have access to the necessary skills, research capabilities, and business networks.

In addition to attracting new investments, IDA Ireland is committed to retaining and strengthening current client company operations. The agency proactively assists client companies in preserving employment, encouraging reinvestment, and mitigating job losses. Through close collaboration with businesses, IDA offers a wide array of supports, including RD&I grants, capital funding for energy efficiency improvements, and digitalisation initiatives designed to enhance competitiveness.

The agency also provides guidance on regulatory compliance and workforce development through customised training support and funding. IDA continues to closely monitor industry trends and engages promptly with businesses facing challenges. Alongside its efforts to attract new investment, IDA Ireland remains dedicated to consolidating and retaining existing multinational operations.

In 2024, Co. Louth experienced a number of jobs loss announcements in IDA client companies including by Becton Dickinson, Wasdell Ireland and PayPal. In March, Xerox also announced the closure of their facility in Co. Louth to take effect later this year. As a direct consequence, my Department and the IDA are using best endeavours to secure replacement projects notwithstanding that where a new investor decides to locate is ultimately a matter that each company itself decides. Where such job losses are announced, Government and our Agencies also partner with local agencies to support impacted employees due to such announcements. These supports and/or initiatives provided by local agencies include:

• Outplacement employment support services and potential training opportunities may be provided/facilitated by the company and/or other providers (ETBs/Skillnet, etc.) to support impacted employees.

• Provision of a detailed skills profile for the employees inpacted, which with agreement can be shared with other potential site leaders that maybe recruiting.

• Where premises are being vacated, IDA seeks to agree with the company concerned to help market the site and business across its global office network.

• IDA will provide at a local level introductions to the Department of Social Protection and Solas on social welfare services and employment support services to support impacted employees’ transition to new employment opportunities.

• IDA would engage with its sister agency Enterprise Ireland to connect will all relevant agencies on a regional basis to promote the site with wider marketing.

The availability of suitable property and strategic sites is a critical component of the regional value proposition and to the winning of investments into the regions from both new name clients and from the existing client base. IDA Ireland continues to deliver advance property solutions and infrastructure improvements to support multinational investment and regional economic growth, in line with the objectives of the IDA Regional Property Programme. This includes the delivery of 2 Advance Building Solutions (ABSs) in Dundalk and the commitment to deliver a further ABS in Drogheda under its current strategy which extends to 2029.

In summary, IDA Ireland’s approach to further increasing investment and employment in County Louth is multi-faceted and includes partnering with clients to enhance competitiveness and productivity in their Irish operations, attracting new investment and delivering strategic infrastructure that underpins long-term regional growth. I am confident that County Louth remains well positioned for future investment.