Fianna Fáil Deputy Leader and TD for Mayo Dara Calleary says the latest figures on IDA site visits reveal a stark divide between rural and urban areas when it comes to Foreign Direct Investment. The latest stats reveal more than 200 site visits by IDA client companies in the first nine months to the end of September, compared with a mere seven in Mayo.
Deputy Calleary commented, "The hallmark of this government is a strong concentration on spin without much in the way of delivery, and the same can be said of investment across Co. Mayo. Despite the Minister's constant assertions that quality jobs are being created right across the country, the reality is very different.
"In fact, the government's record on securing investment for the areas outside of the capital leaves a lot to be desired. The latest data on IDA site visits speaks for itself – in the first nine months of 2018, nearly 1 in 2 visits were concentrated in the Greater Dublin Area.
"While indigenous companies are the backbone of our communities, a well-balanced economy needs a combination of local and FDI investment. That is simply not happening under Fine Gael. I am urging Minister Humphreys and her Cabinet colleagues to stop with the spin and start delivering on their promises.
"Successive Fine Gael led governments have failed to spread FDI promotion to the regions where jobs growth is urgently needed. Mayo has a proven record, with a high number of pharma and tech companies. We have a skilled workforce and available land – 11 hectares of which the IDA owns in Ballina – we just need a concerted effort by the government to drive regional development".