Charles Ward (Donegal, 100% Redress Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

159. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to name all of IDA Ireland client companies with operations in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53694/25]

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

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

Under its current strategy, “Adapt Intelligently: A Strategy for Sustainable Growth and Innovation 2025–29”, which I launched in February, IDA Ireland is targeting 1,000 investments, with 55% (550) in regional locations. This ambitious target reflects IDA Ireland’s ongoing commitment to support transformation and growth across all regions. In this regard, IDA is targeting 40 investments to the Border Region, up from 25 under its previous strategy, 2021–2024.

County Donegal plays a significant role in IDA Ireland’s regional investment strategy as part of the Border Region. There are currently 72 IDA-supported companies in the region, employing 10,389 people, 21 of which are located in Donegal. Over the past 10 years, the number of people directly employed by IDA supported companies in the County has grown from 3,449 in 2015 to 5,196 in 2024. This growth is attributed to investments and expansions which has bolstered job creation and economic development in the County.

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. As part of its Regional Property Programme, IDA Ireland continues to deliver advance property solutions and infrastructure improvements to support regional investment. Under the current strategy IDA will deliver an advance building solution in Letterkenny and will also partner with Donegal County Council to deliver an advance planning permit in Letterkenny.

Finally, the table below lists all IDA client companies in Donegal at 31 October 2024