Economics Research project

An investigation into the effects to Kilkenny and the surrounding region of IDA backed
development of Abbott International medical devices and impact on employment and
Abbotts continued commitment to Balanced Regional Development and its Foreign
Direct Investment in Ireland.

Throughout this individual line of enquiry, I will examine the effects on the latest
examples of the Irish governments successful bid to attract foreign direct investment to
Ireland with the help of the IDA, the American based multinational medical device
company Abbott International broke ground in the IDA business and technology park in
Loughboy, Kilkenny.
My aim for this project is to critically analyse and evaluate the major impact Abbott
International has had on the foreign direct investment in Ireland. Through drawing from
the knowledge, I have gained in the study of the Leaving Certificate economics course,
namely in the areas of the market economy, government intervention in the economy,
fiscal policy and the budget framework and employment and unemployment, I aim to
focus on how the foreign direct investment had an impact on Ireland in areas such as
- Employment
- Balanced Regional Development

I will also be applying crucial and relevant economic concepts which are directly
related to my chosen line of inquiry. Some examples of these key concepts that will be
explored in detail include:
- Opportunity Cost – the cost of foregone alternatives
- Supply and Demand - the amount of a commodity, product, or service available
and the desire of buyers for it, considered as factors regulating its price.

Throughout this project I seek to examine the effects Abbott International has had on
the foreign direct investment in Ireland and to answer the following questions:
- Why does Abbott International have a continued commitment to locating
manufacturing facilities In Ireland and mainly outside of the Dublin region? How
will this effect balanced regional development?
- How will Abbotts Internationals latest facility have an impact on employment? Will
this affect the supply and demand for houses in the region?
-
For my project will use data from various sources which contribute to my research
report. The sources I will gather information from include but not limited to:
- CSO Ireland
- Gov.ie
- Idaireland.com
- Citizensinformation.ie.
 Economics Research project

- itsligo.ie

The overall approach I will be taking to complete this report is to collect relevant
information and data from reliable sources and then to critically analyse them by using
appropriate statistical and analytical tools and then to interpret the results in the context of my
overall project.