IDA admits Dublin receives lion’s share of FDI itineraries

Figures from the IDA show Dublin received 44% of itineraries from potential foreign direct investors last year with a number of counties receiving none.

According to Richard Bruton, the minister for innovation and jobs, Dublin received 150 itineraries out of 341. The capital received 110 more than Limerick which received the second highest amount of 40.

Cisco announced 100 new jobs for Galway yesterday and the figures show Galway received the third highest amount of itineraries at 35.

Despite being the country’s second largest city, Cork received 27 — just one more than Louth which is benefiting from its motorway links to Dublin.

However, Cavan, Leitrim, Kilkenny, Longford, Mayo Roscommon and Wexford received no itineraries.

Carlow, Donegal, Kerry, Kildare, Laois, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Sligo, Tipperary and Wicklow received less than five. Clare and Westmeath fared better with 15 itineraries each. Waterford received 11.

In his Dáil response to Sinn Féin’s Martin Ferris, Mr Bruton said: “One of the high level goals in IDA’s Strategy ‘Horizon 2020’ is a commitment that by 2014, 50% of all Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) will be located outside of Dublin and Cork.

“The global economy and in particular the European economy, which is the primary target market for FDI clients in Ireland, is in a low-growth phase.

Mr Bruton said: “Leading global corporations require a significant population pool, access to qualified talent, world-standard physical and digital infrastructure coupled with the availability of sophisticated professional and business support services.

“Ireland has only one metro region, the greater Dublin area, so, in order to achieve economic regional development, IDA prioritises the marketing of gateway locations within each region as the locations of critical mass and highlights the opportunities provided by hub locations which are within commuting distances of these gateways,” he said.