Covid hits investor visits to Cavan
The impact of Covid restrictions saw the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) host just one visit by a potential investor to County Cavan last year.
The introduction of international travel restrictions in the first quarter, amongst other things, led to the cancellation or postponement of scheduled IDA site visits and client meetings in every region of the country, including Cavan and Monaghan and the wider border region.
By comparison, in 2019, there were a total 11 site visits to Cavan and Monaghan, accounting for one in five of all site visits to the North East region.
Despite the lack of footfall, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment reported a three-fold increase in investment in the Border region following the implementation of an ambitious five-year strategy to ensure employment and investment was evenly distributed across the country.
As a result, almost 55,000 jobs were created outside of Dublin over the past five years, leading to 33,118 additional direct jobs (net) on the ground in regions at the end of the strategy.
Despite Covid restrictions, as an alternative to site visits, the IDA has developed digital solutions and put in place an E-Site Visit experience for potential investors.
There have been a total of 131 in-person site visits and 101 E-visits nationally to the end of the third quarter - the latest data available.
The Agency continues to work closely with clients to drive further investment and job creation to the region.