In a world of compounding uncertainty, Ireland has built its competitive advantage on providing multinationals with the confidence to commit for the long term.
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Invest in Ireland
With skilled talent, supportive incentives and a stable economy, Ireland is the perfect platform for world-leading companies to scale and grow.
Find out how to Invest in Ireland here.
Why global investors choose Ireland
Our message is simple: Ireland can help your business grow. Here you will find a business-friendly environment that has shown it can adapt to any geopolitical shocks, however unexpected. That resilience is based on a collaborative ecosystem that provides investors with the talent and incentives to drive innovation. A location that invests in the future and is bolstered by a trusted and familiar regulatory system, and unflinching commitment to an outward looking economic strategy from across Ireland's political spectrum.
We are consistent in our support but flexible in adapting to changing circumstances. This has been our approach for many decades. When I began working for IDA Ireland back in 2009, the world was descending into recession. Nowhere looked immune to the downturn, and we were braced for job losses at our global client companies due to the ferocity of economic headwinds. But Ireland focused on the long term.
We shielded our global export sector, provided targeted business support, and refocused on competitiveness. Global companies, such as Apple, Medtronic and Pfizer, chose to stay here and grow their Irish footprints. The strategy worked. Exporting companies in life sciences, technology, engineering, international financial services and green technologies injected much needed demand into the Irish economy and spurred Ireland's economic comeback.
Innovation backed by government
We are a hub of innovation, with a national commitment to continuously improving the ecosystem. The Irish R&D tax credit was increased to 35%5 at the start of this year, and the government has invested significantly in new research centers focused on advanced therapies, artificial intelligence, energy, medical devices, pharma and biopharma, quantum, and semiconductors.
Companies also receive support from elite institutes such as the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), which assists the pharma sector, and Digital Manufacturing Ireland (DMI) focused on high value manufacturing. Skillnet Ireland is a government-backed agency that provides industry-subsidized support in upskilling workforces.
In this environment, many manufacturers have ramped up their R&D operations. Earlier this year, Boston Scientific announced a €75 million investment6 to expand its R&D work at its Galway site, a global center for cardiovascular innovation.
IRELAND'S INNOVATION ECHOSYSTEM
Government
Academia
K-NIBRT
South Korea
NIBRT
University
College
Dublin
JAPAN-IRELAND
BUSINESS RELATIONS
1973
Embassy of Japan opens
8000
Employees
44
Japaneese companies present in Ireland
County Kerry
Gallway
Dublin
Something about
Ireland's
Global
Business
Connections
Asian Investment in Ireland
Talent & Workforce
of investors have been in Ireland for more than 10 years*
leading global biopharmaceutical companies
13 out of 15
FDI Investments
When there is a big shock to the global economy Ireland can adjust to changing circumstances and respond to client needs.
of investors have been in Ireland for more than 30 years*
973
separate FDI investments
77,000
new Irish jobs from post-pandemic strategy between 2021-2024
20%
By Breda O'Sullivan Head of Corporate Strategy and Policy at IDA Ireland
50%
Takeda, the Japanese pharmaceutical giant, arrived in Ireland in 1997 and established a manufacturing facility in Bray, County Wicklow. In 2004 it chose Grange Castle, County Dublin, as the site of its first active pharmaceutical ingredient facility outside Japan. By 2022, it opened a state-of-the-art cell therapy facility, backed by a €36.4 million investment1. The company's Irish workforce is now 1,000-strong and represents more than 30 nationalities.2
Tokyo-headquartered Astellas has a 35-year history in Ireland, from its first manufacturing plants in Dublin and Killorglin, County Kerry through to a €330 million investment in 20233 to build a world-leading aseptic drug product facility in Tralee, County Kerry. The long-term commitment that we give allows companies to establish themselves here and pursue ambitions that grow well beyond their original investment.
Global technology company Hubspot announced in March that it was making a €40.35m investment in an AI-native R&D program in Ireland. The agent customer platform first established its EMEA headquarters in Dublin in 2013 and has expanded to 1,300 employees across Ireland, with over 350 working in R&D4.
Partnership and long-term vision are integral to our approach. When IDA Ireland works with investors, we know that they are looking for consistency. We understand that making a major investment in another country is a significant commitment.
In recent years there has been so much churn and change around the world, but Ireland has been a point of stability. Our clients know that they have long-term access to markets, talent, suppliers, and service providers.
investment to expand R&D operations in Galway by Boston Scientific
in development for Next Generation Sites for future investors
1,000acres
€75m
50 years of focus
These instincts are rooted in the Irish DNA. As a small open economy without a traditional industrial base, our island nation has always looked out to the world. We have always understood that we must be able to export and attract investment if we want to be successful.
Our approach to clients is not transactional. We want companies to plan for growth here. The fact that we offer a complete package — from an abundant talent pipeline to political stability and a trusted regulatory environment — means that we can build long-term relationships with companies that invest in Ireland. We can see the results of this in that half of our investors have been here for longer than 10 years. One-fifth have been here for over 30 years. The data shows that when you come to invest in Ireland, you come to stay.
The most compelling proof point of this strategy is when companies arrive in Ireland for one reason and stay on to expand their operations. We have seen it so many times. Once they see the flexibility and agility of the Irish system up close, the depth of the talent pool, the ease of moving people in and out of the country, the scope for innovation; they realize what they can achieve here.
Building for the future
We recognize that some companies need to scale as they expand. So, we are putting in place a series of Next Generation Sites up to 1,000 acres in size, with the energy, water and transport resources that investors require. By preparing these sites in advance, we reduce risk and accelerate decision-making for investors, which is crucial in today's fast-moving international environment.
The Irish government is spending an unprecedented amount on infrastructure over the next ten years and has enacted significant reforms to ensure this capital can be deployed in an effective and timely manner in everything from energy to water infrastructure.
Ireland's stability is greatly enhanced by its location within the European Union. Companies here have easy access to the EU market, European talent and pan-European research projects. Ireland remains unwaveringly committed to the EU and a proactive advocate for reforms that will ensure Europe is positioned for success in a changing world.
Source: IDA Ireland tracked investors
Stability is guaranteed; the only surprises will be the exciting new investment opportunities once you are here.
As the primary English-speaking state remaining within the EU, Ireland withstood the turbulence of Brexit. During the pandemic, we were agile in introducing labor support schemes to keep people connected to their employers and putting in place initiatives to help companies manage remote working. When war broke out in Ukraine in 2022, the Irish government provided energy price support to keep the market stable.
Whatever happens, Ireland will be ready to adapt and ensure that we remain consistent in offering a complete package for our investors. Stability is guaranteed; the only surprises will be the exciting new investment opportunities that appear once you are here.
Sources
1 IDA Ireland press release, "Takeda celebrates opening of innovative cell therapy production facility in Ireland"
2 Takeda, About Takeda Ireland
3 IDA Ireland press release, "Astellas to Invest more than €330 Million in a New State-of-the-Art Facility in Tralee, Co. Kerry"
5 Gov.ie, Budget 2026: Driving Enterprise, Defending Employment
6 IDA Ireland press release, "Boston Scientific announces €75 million investment"
4 IDA Ireland press release, "HubSpot to invest €40.35M in Ireland"
The Reuters news staff had no role in the production of this content. It was created by Reuters Plus, the brand marketing studio of Reuters.
Produced by Reuters Plus for
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