IDA Ireland H1 investments up 37% up on last year

IDA Ireland, the state body charged with attracting investment into the country, published its mid-year results alongside its annual report for 2024, noting a "substantial investment" in areas spanning R&D, digitalisation, sustainability, and talent development. 

Some 51% of all investments so far this year have been into regional locations, which the IDA said was in line with Ireland’s strategic objective to maximise regional growth.

Of the almost 179 investments in the first half of 2025, 52 of these were new or first-time investments into the country, with 43 being research, development and innovation (RD&I) projects. 

Meanwhile, some 41 investments are expansions from existing client companies growing and further embedding their operations here. 

In addition, the IDA reported an increase in the number of investments focused on carbon reduction and energy efficiency with 34 investments since January being made across the areas of green capital and sustainability.

The last six months have seen several major investments from new multinational companies in Ireland, the IDA said, noting Squarespace, which announced 120 new jobs in Dublin; Datavant, which opened a global R&D centre in Galway that is to employ up to 125 people; and Sony Interactive Entertainment, which announced plans to hire 100 employees in Dublin.

Other companies this year have taken decisions to invest significantly in their existing Irish operations, including GE HealthCare, which is investing €132m in expanding and upgrading its Cork facility.

Ericsson announced its investment of €200m into RD&I in Athlone; IBM is planning to create 75 engineering jobs in Waterford, and Japanese pharmaceutical firm Astellas has planned a series of investments totalling €129 million over three years at its three sites in Tralee, Killorglin and Damastown.

However, the IDA also noted the current global uncertainty triggered in the main by US President Donald Trump's tariffs. The organisation posited that the coming years will be marked by "change and turbulence."

But despite the uncertain future, IDA Ireland Chairman, Feargal O'Rourke, praised the country's ability to sell itself as a beacon of stability. He said: “It gives me great pleasure to report that 2024 was another good year for FDI in Ireland.

"For decades, Ireland has promoted its political, policy and institutional stability as important aspects of our offering to FDI.

"The results in the Annual Report, coupled with today’s half year results, is evidence that in a turbulent world, this stability now stands out as a very attractive feature and, I have no doubt, has contributed to the positive place we find ourselves in."

Speaking of the results, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism & Employment Peter Burke said, “I am pleased to see the positive trends in the volume of Foreign Direct Investment so far this year. 

"They show Ireland retains its attractiveness as a competitive location for companies seeking a stable and cutting-edge environment from which to grow their business.

Michael Lohan, chief executive of IDA Ireland, added: “Today’s figures demonstrate Ireland’s continued attractiveness as a trusted partner and a proven investment location, speaking to our many strengths in areas such as innovation and talent as well as our stable, pro-enterprise business landscape. 

"It also points to our resilience in the face of continuing global economic uncertainty.

"IDA Ireland continues to partner with new and existing clients to support them in their investment endeavours here, to help their global competitiveness, and to deliver economic impact across all regions of the country."

*This article was originally published on BusinessPlus.ie.