Page 44 - Our Wexford

Business Profile

IDA - SOUTH EAST

Wexford can look forward enterprises in Ireland, representing investments. Central to this is a
to a positive business future almost one in 10 workers in the strong ambition for employment
according to the new IDA South economy. growth throughout all regions over
East Region Manager Brendan The role of the South East Regional the lifetime of the strategy. We are
McDonald. targeting a minimum increase in
Manager, to which Brendan
Brendan and his team in Ireland McDonald was appointed in 2017, investment of 30pc to 40pc for the
southeast region.”
and overseas are promoting Wexford is to drive foreign investment into
and the southeast region in order to counties Wexford, Waterford, Brendan says that the people of the
take advantage of the opportunities Kilkenny, Carlow and Tipperary. region are central to success. “Our
that are arising from Brexit as Brendan says that the IDA is high levels of productivity and a
well as further improvements in midway through their current deep talent base have endowed us
infrastructure, close proximity to strategic plan, ‘Winning Foreign with major strengths. We have key
the capital, direct access to a roll on Direct Investment 2015–2019’ in talent available in Wexford and
roll off port, a talented workforce which he says there are some very across the region who can help to
and the unrivalled quality of life on specific and ambitious goals. “This provide more value add to company
offer in Wexford. headquarters, be they in the US,
plan has ambitious targets with
Brendan says that all of these aspects goals to deliver 80,000 new jobs, Europe or elsewhere around the
globe. Outside of attracting talent,
are absolutely key when it comes to 900 investments, €3 billion R&D companies also need to know that
the decision-making process behind investments and balanced regional they can feel part of the community
choosing a location for Foreign growth.” when they embed in too; and
Direct Investment.
As well as the significant presence Wexford very much has the quality
IDA Ireland is the country’s of Irish owned companies in of life that company executives and
Investment Development Agency Wexford, sectors such as financial employees desire. I can’t overstate
and its main role is to attract and services, medical, technical, and how important this is; people don’t
sustain FDI since 1969 when the internationally-traded services want to commute two hours to
Irish state first opened up to the all feature strongly in the current Dublin each day; people do want a
international market in a significant Wexford portfolio and hopes are good role to build their career but
way. The relationship between high that they’ll grow even more. also excellent quality of life, and
Ireland and overseas companies “Our goals within the 2015-2019 Wexford certainly offers this in
has stood the test of time, with the strategic plan is to win 900 new spades.”
numbers providing compelling investments for Ireland, this Wexford is uniquely positioned
‘‘ Wexford very much has 2010-2014 targets. Regional direct port access located within the
evidence; there are over 199,877
represents a 40pc increase on the
just one hour from Dublin with a
people employed in foreign-owned
development is a major
county and according to Brendan
component of our present
this infrastructure is key.
corporate strategy. In
“Long-term investments, made by
the quality of life that
2015 for the first time,
Transport Infrastructure Ireland
ambitious investment
company executives and
contributing to an environment
for each region,
that enables IDA Ireland to drive
employees desire. People do targets have been set and Wexford County Council, are
with a strong
growth. Some very important pieces
focus on
want a good role to build their securing an that are coming down the track are
the M11 extension from Gorey just
increased
career but also have an excellent share of south of Enniscorthy along with
thenew N25 New Ross bypass.
’’
quality of life and Wexford certainly These are key infrastructural pieces
from an access perspective, because
offers this in spades. the easier you can make it for people
to travel, the easier they can see
Brendan McDonald, Regional Manager, IDA South East Region that they are connected, not only
44 OUR WEXFORD