Large parts of the country are being largely ignored by foreign direct investors with Dublin accounting for more than half of visits by potential overseas investors.

Statistics provided by Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Richard Bruton in response to a written parliamentary question lodged by Fianna Fáil deputy Dara Calleary show that Longford is the only county not to attract any overseas investor visit so far this year. The county also had no FDI visit in 2012.

Carlow, Kildare, Kerry, Leitrim, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Wexford and Wicklow have all attracted just one visit to date this year.

Areas to record only two visits include Cavan, Kilkenny, Laois, Louth and Mayo.

Dublin accounted for 55 per cent or 152 of all visits so far this year with Cork the second most popular at 28. Limerick was third with 20 visits.

Visits to increase
In his written reply to Mr Calleary, Mr Bruton confirmed that only two other counties, Galway (12) and Waterford (13) reached double figures in terms of visits.

The rate of IDA-sponsored visits by potential investors has increased this year.

Figures for the first eight months of this year show that IDA-sponsored visits totalled 275 compared to 379 for the entire of 2012.

If this rate is maintained for the remainder of 2013, the IDA is on target to record 412 visits this year.

Commenting on the data, Mr Bruton said: “In order to ensure that Ireland can continue to compete globally for FDI projects, it will be necessary to undertake an in-depth analysis of our FDI strategy with a view to informing the formulation of an appropriate strategy for the period post 2014.