Leitrim’s IDA figures reflect economic challenges

Leitrim may be small, but it is making a notable impact regarding jobs supported by the Industrial Development Authority (IDA). As of the end of 2023, the county had four IDA-backed companies providing 1,104 jobs—a commendable figure for a rural region.

With 1,104 IDA-supported jobs, Leitrim outperforms several counties, including Laois, which reported the lowest in the country with just 155 jobs from five companies. Monaghan follows with 283 jobs from six companies, while Kilkenny has 1,037 jobs across 13 firms, all trailing behind Leitrim's numbers.

While Leitrim holds its own regionally, it is still outpaced by neighboring counties like Donegal and Sligo. Donegal boasts 5,036 jobs from 22 IDA companies, and Sligo has 2,929 jobs across 31 companies. These comparisons highlight Leitrim's potential for growth as it seeks to attract more foreign direct investment (FDI) to match the success of its neighbors.

With only four IDA client companies, Leitrim has significant room to expand its IDA-supported job base. Attracting even a few more companies could lead to a considerable boost in employment. The county has already demonstrated that small, rural areas can attract FDI, and continued investment could further elevate these figures.

The data also reveals the significant gap between urban and rural areas in terms of IDA jobs. Dublin leads the way with 137,112 jobs from 985 companies, while counties like Galway (103 companies, 24,080 jobs) and Cork (206 companies, 49,253 jobs) illustrate the concentration of FDI in Ireland's major cities. For smaller counties like Leitrim, ongoing government focus on regional development is essential to narrowing this gap.

Leitrim is making strides in terms of IDA-supported jobs, but clear challenges remain. By attracting more IDA-backed companies, the county has the opportunity to create even more jobs, strengthening its economy and addressing regional disparities. While Leitrim performs well compared to many rural areas, the goal now is to build on this success and unlock its full potential.