The new Donegal Prospectus has been described as having an important role
in presenting this county as an excellent place to do business for companies
thinking of locating in Ireland.
The glossy 48-page publication is to be used to attract foreign
investment and showcase the county to potential investors and entrepreneurs all
over the world. It highlights the world class employment and investment
opportunities here and the full range of services required for an excellent
quality of life.
The launch, which took place at Oakfield Park, Raphoe on Wednesday
afternoon, was hosted by renowned businessman Sir Gerry Robinson and his wife
Lady Heather and attended by a diverse range of business and community
interests from all over the county.
Speaking at the occasion Donegal County Council Chief Executive, Seamus
Neely said the new Donegal Prospectus presented the county as an excellent
place to live, work and do business.
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Cllr. Ciaran Brogan, Cathaoirleach, Sir
Gerry Robinson, Lady Heather Robinson
and Seamus Neely, Chief Executive Donegal County Council at the launch of the Donegal Prospectus at Oakfield Park Raphoe. |
“We are delighted to have been able to showcase a small selection of
the successful companies operating in the county. The Doing Business in Donegal
section demonstrates the range of sectors, skills capability and success of
some of the companies located here in the county.
“Donegal County Council has worked closely with many of these companies
over the years and together with the other support agencies in the county will
continue to support new and existing companies and to work to attract further
inward investment to Donegal.
Mr Neely added that a very important theme of the Donegal Prospectus was
the availability of crucial services such as health and education to people
wishing to relocate to Donegal.
“Individuals and families can be assured of the high quality services
available right throughout the county.
The added value of the North West Gateway Initiative and our
collaborative working relationship with Derry City and Strabane District
Council, provides a critical mass to ensure the continued development of shared
services in the North West region in areas including health and education, for
example, the Altnagelvin Radiotherarpy services, the proposed A5 / A6 route and
the Donegal Clinical Research Academy.”
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Dr. Ciaran Richardson, Randox Teo,
Seamus Neely, Chief Executive Donegal County Council,
Gerard Grant, Pramerica, Sir Gerry Robinson, Cllr. Ciaran Brogan, Cathaoirleach, Lady Heather Robinson, Michael O hEanaigh, Donegal County Council, Steve O'Culainn, Udaras na nGaeltachta, Pauline Bradley, Randoc, Cllr. Martin Harley. |
He added the vibrant quality of life on offer in Donegal was second to
none and it is only when carrying out an exercise like developing the
Prospectus that one actually takes stock of and appreciated the wonderful place
in which they lived.
Guest speakers at the launch, Dr Ciaran Richardson, Research and
Development Manager, Randox, Dungloe and Gerard Grant Vice-President, IT and
Facilities, Pramerica, Letterkenny outlined the many reasons why their
respective companies chose to set up in the county and spoke glowingly of the
many positive advantages they discovered as a result.
Both said they were impressed with the people, the places and the
quality of workforce they had and said they were certain it was a huge part of their
continued success. They also noted that
the Donegal Prospectus will be an important tool for them in recruiting top
class employees to their companies and in turn to Donegal.
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| Cathaoirleach of Donegal
County Council Cllr. Ciaran Brogan addressing the audienceat the launch of the Donegal Prospectus at Oakfield Park Raphoe. |
Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Ciaran Brogan said the
new Prospectus captured the essence of the Donegal that business owners,
employers, employees, families and residents of the county know and love.
“For the first time, we have encapsulated all that the county has to
offer in a publication which we hope will travel near and far,” he said.
Looking through the Prospectus, the Cathaoirleach said it was clear to
him that they were presenting the county in a positive and upbeat light by
highlighting not only the continued success of businesses operating and thriving
in the county but also the wide range of services, supports and activities
available to anyone thinking of locating in or returning to Donegal.
“We have recently had two major business expansion announcements in the
county and are delighted to have representatives from both Randox and Pramerica
here today to share their experiences of doing business successfully in and
from Donegal. These expansions will
hopefully bring hundreds of new jobs to the county and may even attract more
inward investment to the county and to the North West region,” he said.
He added he felt the Prospectus could play an important role in
presenting this location as an excellent place to do business for companies
thinking of locating in Ireland - outlining the ease of access, the
ever-developing infrastructure and the world-class ICT facilities.
“The publication will also assist new companies in attracting potential
employees and members of our Diaspora back to the county with the promise of
employment and an excellent quality of life.
This will have the impact of strengthening our communities, enhancing
our society and adding to the already educated and skilled workforce in the
county,” said Cllr Brogan.
The Donegal Prospectus was designed by local firm Grace Ann Consultancy
and was produced by Donegal County Council working closely with a range of
partner organisations in both the public and private sector. The Donegal Prospectus will be distributed
both locally and internationally through the many global connections that
Donegal has developed in recent years through the Donegal Diaspora project.
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| The audience at the launch of the Donegal Prospectus showing their endorsement for the new publication |
