Midlands sees strongest IDA employment growth in 2023
by Emily Sheehan
There has been a 5.8% increase in employment in IDA-supported companies in the midlands region.
Figures from the IDA Ireland's 2023 annual report revealed that the midlands, comprising of Westmeath, Laois, Offaly and Longford, experienced the largest net jobs increase.
In contrast, the national percentage change of total employment represented a net employment loss of 0.3% in 2023.
"Losses were largely driven by headcount reductions and hiring freezes, rather than by company closures," the report states.
The report, published on July 8, reveals that the midlands currently enjoys the largest scale of employment growth of the six regions.
There was an increase of 2.7% in the border-county region, and 2.6% in the mid-west. Statistics from the Mid-East, West, and Dublin region reveal a percentage decrease in employment of 4.8%, 1.8%, and 1.2% respectively.
IDA Ireland won 248 investments in 2023; 53% of which (132 investments) went to regional locations outside of Dublin.
Recent figures indicate the IDA supports 49 companies in the midlands, employing approximately 7,000 people.
"Ensuring balanced regional development" was identified as a "key priority" for the IDA. The report notes that the IDA has met its overall target of 400 regional investments, which comprise of "mix of expansions, first-time investors, investments of scale, and transformation projects across advanced manufacturing, RD&I and global business services."
"Winning every investment requires strong collaboration across the entire regional ecosystem, the maintenance of which will be key to ensuring continued success in the regions as we enter the second half of the decade," as noted in the CEO and Chairman report.
Overall, there were 248 new investments acquired in 2023 nationally, providing an associated gross job creation potential of almost 19,000.
Following the publication of the report, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke said: "Ireland continues to be recognised as a highly stable and attractive location for global investment. Our country has a reputation for being agile, with an economy underpinned by a dynamic ecosystem of global companies, indigenous enterprise and academia working in collaboration. Government remains committed to ensuring the right polices are in place to facilitate the development of appropriate skills, infrastructure, and innovation to facilitate strong levels of FDI into the future."
Alongside the publication of the 2023 annual report, IDA Ireland also announced that it supported 131 investments in the first six months of this year, 74 of which are planned for regional locations.
The reports may be viewed on the IDA Ireland website.