Number of investments secured by the IDA up 37% in first half of 2025

The foreign direct investment agency secured 179 investments between January and June of this year 

Chief executive of IDA Ireland Michael Lohan

Some 179 investments were approved by IDA Ireland in the first six months of the year, marking a 37% increase on the same period for 2024.

Publishing its mid-year results alongside the organisation's annual report for 2024, the IDA noted a "substantial investment" in areas spanning R&D, digitalisation, sustainability, and talent development. 

Some 51% of all investments so far this year have been into regional locations, which the IDA said was in line with Ireland’s strategic objective to maximise regional growth.

Of the almost 179 investments in the first half of 2025, 52 of these were new or first-time investments into the country, with 43 being research, development and innovation (RD&I) projects. 

Meanwhile, some 41 investments are expansions from existing client companies growing and further embedding their operations here. 

In addition, the IDA reported an increase in the number of investments focused on carbon reduction and energy efficiency with 34 investments since January being made across the areas of green capital and sustainability.

The last six months have seen several major investments from new multinational companies in Ireland, the IDA said, noting Squarespace, who announced 120 new jobs in Dublin, Datavant, who opened its global R&D centre in Galway that is to employ up to 125 people, and Sony Interactive Entertainment, who announced its plans to hire 100 employees in Dublin.

Other companies this year have taken decisions to invest significantly in their existing Irish operations, including GE HealthCare, who is investing €132 m in expanding and upgrading its Cork facility, Ericsson, who announced its investment of €200m into RD&I in Athlone, IBM, whose expansion in Waterford is to create 75 engineering jobs, and Japanese pharmaceutical firm Astellas, who announced a series of investments totalling €129m over three years at its three sites in Tralee, Killorglin and Damastown.

Publishing its 2024 annual report on Wednesday, the IDA said noted the current uncertain global economic context, adding that the coming years will be marked by "change and turbulence". 

The agency’s figures come a week before US President Donald Trump is due to reimpose steep tariffs on EU goods imports, as negotiations between the EU commission and the White House draw to a close. 

The US President has threatened to apply a 50% levy on most EU imports from July 9.

The organisation also highlighted increased global competition for FDI as more countries compete for fewer investments.

"However, against this backdrop... There are new opportunities emerging," the IDA said.

"With its strong foundation of global companies, world-class talent base and exceptional reputation for research, development and innovation, Ireland is well positioned to secure future emerging opportunities."

Speaking of the results, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism & Employment Peter Burke said, “I am pleased to see the positive trends in the volume of Foreign Direct Investment so far this year. 

"They show Ireland retains its attractiveness as a competitive location for companies seeking a stable and cutting-edge environment from which to grow their business.

IDA Ireland CEO, Michael Lohan added: “Today’s figures demonstrate Ireland’s continued attractiveness as a trusted partner and a proven investment location, speaking to our many strengths in areas such as innovation and talent as well as our stable, pro-enterprise business landscape. 

"It also points to our resilience in the face of continuing global economic uncertainty.

"IDA Ireland continues to partner with new and existing clients to support them in their investment endeavours here, to help their global competitiveness, and to deliver economic impact across all regions of the country."