Only two Mayo IDA visits in 2017 despite new facility

IDA Ireland has only organised two visits to Mayo this year despite the investment in a major new multi-million-euro facility at Breaffy Road in Castlebar.

When questioned on the matter in Dáil Eireann, Minister Frances Fitzgerald said under its current strategy, IDA Ireland has targeted an increase of 30% to 40% in foreign direct investment (FDI) in every region outside Dublin by 2019.

She said progress is being made towards achieving this goal, with 173 site visits nationwide recorded in the first quarter of this year. This is an increase of over 20% on 2016, when 136 visits were recorded for the same period.

“While visits by the agency’s client companies are a useful tool in promoting particular locations, the final decision as to where an investment may ultimately be situated is dependent on an array of factors.

“This includes the suitability of infrastructure and proximity to transport hubs. Another key consideration for IDA Ireland clients in this context is the ready availability of suitable properties.

The agency, therefore, requires an adequate supply of marketable serviced land and buildings that can be offered to investors. If the agency did not have such properties available for investment, it would diminish Ireland’s ability to win mobile FDI, particularly for the regions.”

However, the fact the only two visits took place to Mayo since last January does little to inspire confidence within a county crying out for new jobs.