Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2026
63. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of jobs the IDA supported in Kerry last year; the plans for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13374/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraForeign Direct Investment is a key element of our economic strategy, with investments by IDA Ireland client companies consistently generating highly skilled jobs nationwide. In this context, I launched IDA Ireland's current strategy, ‘Adapt Intelligently: A Strategy for Sustainable Growth and Innovation 2025-29', in February last year and central to the IDA’s strategy is an emphasis on partnering with existing clients to identify opportunities to safeguard and strengthen long-term investment in Ireland, alongside attracting new investment to Ireland in FDI growth drivers including digitalisation and AI, semiconductors, health, and sustainability.
Supporting job creation in all regions is central to the work of my Department and our enterprise development agencies. In this regard, IDA client-company employment increased to 312,400 in 2025 and there are currently 169,967 people employed in IDA client companies outside Dublin, with FDI employment in every region and every county of Ireland. This represents 54% of all FDI employment nationally.
The South-West Region, comprising counties Cork and Kerry, is home to 245 IDA client companies, employing 53,535 people. There is a significant ecosystem of well-established companies across Technology, Life Sciences, International Financial Services and Engineering & Industrial Technologies in the region. Referring specifically to Kerry, there are 2,110 people employed by 17 IDA client-companies. Additionally, there were 5,360 people employed in EI client-companies in 2025.
The FDI performance in the region has been strong over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 12%. The South-West has won significant investment across a range of sectors over a sustained period which has contributed significantly to employment growth and positive economic impacts on other sectors of the economy.
Recent developments in Kerry include the commencement of construction by Astellas Ireland of its new €330 million, state-of-the-art facility at Kerry Technology Park, Tralee. Furthermore, in July 2025, Aenova, a leading pharmaceutical Contract Development & Manufacturing Organisation with a location in Killorglin announced a significant expansion of their Killorglin facility enabling the company to develop innovative drug delivery systems in the future. This expansion will create approximately 10 new highly skilled roles in the areas of R&D, Pharmaceutical Technology and Analytics in addition to the existing workforce.
Under its current strategy, IDA is targeting 550 of a total 1,000 investments to regional locations, including 155 in the South-West (Cork and Kerry). The first year of this strategy, 2025, saw IDA Ireland achieving the highest ever number of investments, 323, a 38% increase on 2024, which are expected to create over 15,300 additional jobs in the coming years. 183 investments, 57% of all investments in 2025, were in regional locations.
A competitive property offering can be a key factor in investment decisions and is a core objective of IDA, delivered through its Regional Property Programme to support Foreign Direct Investment and the growth and expansion of indigenous clients of both Enterprise Ireland and Local Enterprise Office clients. Under its Regional Property Programme 2025-2029 will deliver 12 new buildings in total throughout the country as well as 11 Advance Planning Permits, including a partnership with Kerry County Council for the delivery of a second advance planning permit for an Advanced Technology Building in Tralee.
With a clear focus on regional development, a strong pipeline of investment, and collaborative local partnerships, IDA Ireland is positioning the South-West Region as a competitive and attractive destination for global investors. These efforts are central to shaping Ireland’s economic future. IDA Ireland is committed to winning further opportunities for Kerry and will continue to work with all stakeholders to achieve this.
