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 and it is not a matter in which I have a function.

When client companies of IDA Ireland or Enterprise Ireland vacate a premises on IDA-owned property the agency's first priority is to market the premises for a suitable replacement activity. The use to which IDA property can be put is prescribed by legislation. If the premises is no longer considered to be strategic in terms of the agency's marketing strategy, or is not suitable for Enterprise Ireland client needs, the approach is usually to the local county council to seek an expression of interest in the property. If no interest is shown the property will usually be placed on the open market.

IDA's portfolio of buildings in rural locations has been reduced dramatically in recent years. The policy decision to divest of buildings was taken in the 1990s and this decision was reaffirmed in the expenditure review of the IDA Ireland property programme, which 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 maximise the financial return to the Exchequer in disposing of property.

The IDA's current focus is on delivering appropriate facilities in line with the national spatial strategy. World-class business and technology parks and buildings are being developed in regional locations that complement the spatial strategy with the aim of enhancing the overall development and potential economic gains of these locations. The focus is primarily to provide and develop property solutions in the gateway and hub locations. New buildings provided on IDA parks are under a partnership arrangement between the IDA and private developers.

In line with the commitment which we have made in the programme for Government, arrangements are currently being finalised for an enterprise audit to review the use of existing and redundant agricultural buildings and manufacturing plants in rural areas and IDA Ireland is fully co-operating with this initiative.

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