Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Under the Industrial Development Act 1986, as amended by the Acts of 1993 and 1995, IDA Ireland has the power to acquire, hold and dispose of land and any other property or any interest therein for the purpose of facilitating an industrial undertaking. Accordingly, the management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio is a day-to-day operational matter for the agency, as part of the statutory responsibility assigned to it by the Oireachtas. It is not a matter in which I have a function.

The agency has a stock of buildings that it either owns or leases. These are marketed along with buildings on its industrial parks that are owned by private developers. The use to which IDA Ireland property can be put is prescribed by legislation and the disposal of property for any alternative use requires the consent of the Minister of the day. However, the agency is always available to discuss proposals regarding availability or suitability of individual buildings with local authorities, enterprise boards or community groups, and I will be pleased to consider any request for such consent should it be required.

With regard to the 67 buildings that are owned by IDA Ireland, 28 of these are now vacant. Of these 28 buildings, a total of 11 are classified as available. However, only four smaller units of these 11 buildings are considered suitable for use by small business and the agency is in discussion with the respective local authorities regarding passing the buildings to them. The other seven buildings that are classified as available would not be suitable for use as incubator units or for small businesses.

With regard to buildings that are leased by IDA Ireland, there are several large factory buildings which it leases in gateway, hub and other towns for use by client companies of the agency, Enterprise Ireland and the county enterprise boards. These buildings would not be suitable for use as incubator units. Conversion costs and the relatively short period left in the leases would make it uneconomic to refit them for such a purpose. They were designed as single-occupant facilities for manufacturing use. However, IDA Ireland also leases 18 smaller units, which are available, and is in discussion with the landlords and local authorities regarding their future use. Each of these units will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

The number of buildings in which IDA Ireland has an interest has fallen dramatically in recent years. The policy decision to divest of buildings was taken in the 1990s and this decision was re-affirmed in the expenditure review of the IDA Ireland property programme that was concluded in 2004. In disposing of these buildings the agency must balance the need to have properties available in key locations that will help it deliver on its mandate. The agency must also seek to maximize the financial return to the Exchequer in disposing of property.

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