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, the IDA partners with client companies and key stakeholders in all regions in pursuit of its objective to maximise regional opportunities.

County Louth plays a significant role in IDA Ireland’s regional investment strategy. As part of the Mid-East Region comprising Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, and Louth the county has seen, in aggregate, good FDI performance over recent years, supported by strong regional collaboration, strategic location, and targeted investment.

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. This employment forms part of the broader Mid-East Region total of 121 IDA-supported companies, employing 20,470 people across the region. Prominent IDA client companies operating in the Mid-East Region include Intel, Takeda, PCI Pharma Services, WuXi Biologics, Servier, Elavon, Merck, Cargotec, Kaseya, Prometric, ABB, Anord Mardix, and Vesta.

Over the past two years, some companies have announced significant investments in County Louth as follows:

• MSD (January 2025): Acquisition of WuXi Vaccines’ Dundalk site – 150 jobs / €500m investment.
• Noesis (October 2024): Launch of a new IT Centre of Excellence – 30 jobs.
• Anord Mardix (August 2024): Opening of a second facility in Dundalk.
• ABB (February 2023): Opening of a new R&D Centre – 30 jobs.

I am also fully aware that County Louth has experienced some job losses in FDI companies over the past 12 months. As a direct consequence, my Department and the IDA are using their best endeavours to secure replacement projects notwithstanding that location decisions are ultimately a matter for each individual investor. Moreover, when job losses are announced, Government and our Agencies partner with local agencies to support impacted employees through opportunities elsewhere in Agency client companies, re-skilling opportunities and, of course, further endeavours to secure replacement opportunities in the County.

IDA Ireland is committed to retaining and strengthening client operations in every region including the Mid-East region. 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. The IDA continues to closely monitor industry trends and engages promptly with businesses facing challenges. In particular, alongside its efforts to attract new investment, IDA Ireland is dedicated to consolidating and retaining existing multinational operations.

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 (ABS) in Dundalk and the commitment to deliver a further ABS in Drogheda under its current strategy which extends to 2029.

Overall, 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.