Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 October 2012
155. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will detail the average lead in time, from first engagement to a jobs announcement by the Industrial Development Agency client companies. [45477/12]
View answerThe business of securing foreign direct investment is a complex one. I understand from IDA Ireland that, depending on the size and scale of the project, the lead in time from first engagement to job announcement can vary from 12 months upwards. A number of factors have an impact on this timeframe. For example, a large multinational may require its own board approval for large investment whereas a smaller emerging business/ financial service company may not. The sector and business activity can also have an impact. With Pharmaceutical/Medical Technology companies or large ICT companies, a fit out or new build may be required. Finally, deciding on a location can also be a contributory factor. Normally a company is shown three or four selected towns which could meet its requirements for skills, labour, site and/or buildings, infrastructure, etc. and while IDA Ireland will seek to influence the selection of location, the final decision on the location of and the announcement to proceed with the project is taken in all cases by the promoting company.
