IDA paid over €31m to firms that quit

OVER €31 million in IDA grants was paid to 33 companies which pulled out of Ireland last year, the latest figures reveal.

IDA figures, released to the Irish Examiner, also reveal €4.2m in grant repayments is still owed to the agency by firms which have closed their Irish operations.

Over €3m of that total is owed by one multi-national, Celestica, which closed in May 2003 with the loss of 300 jobs.