Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
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4. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA-sponsored client visits to the IDA land at Ballingarrane, Clonmel in 2023 and 2024; the steps the IDA will take to find an enterprise for the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21941/25]

Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
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This question relates to the IDA-owned site at Ballingarrane in Clonmel. Will the Minister outline the number of IDA-sponsored client visits to that site at Clonmel in 2023 and 2024? What steps will the IDA take to find an enterprise for the site?

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for his question. The IDA has a landholding of 20 ha at Ballingarrane science and technology park in Clonmel, County Tipperary, and, in partnership with Tipperary County Council, has lodged a planning application for a 10,000 sq.m advanced building solution on a site area of approximately 3.4 ha. This application is currently proceeding through the planning process. IDA Ireland continues to work to market the site and proposed planning permission at Ballingarrane to potential new and existing investors through the agency’s network of overseas and regional offices. In this regard, the IDA, together with Tipperary County Council, has prepared and shared marketing materials, including a brochure and a promotional video, via the IDA Ireland website.

On site visits, data is only available on a county basis. I am advised that there were eight visits to County Tipperary in 2023, two in 2024 and one, to date, this year. I should indicate, however, that site visits are only one measure of a company’s interest in a particular location and may not necessarily be a true measure of the overall level of FDI activity in a region or county. For example, 70% of FDI won for Ireland by the IDA in 2024 came from its existing client base rather than new companies. Potential clients visiting Ireland may visit more than one county and may return to a location more than once. Also, the figures that represent individual visits are not necessarily indicative of the number of companies that have been visited.

I also remind the Deputy that the final decision on where to locate an investment is always made by the client company and not by the IDA. It can take many years to convert an initial site visit into a project approval.

Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Ballingarrane estate was purchased in 2001 by South Tipperary County Council, in what was a far-seeing decision, to provide a vital piece of infrastructure for industrial development, not just for Clonmel and south Tipperary, but also for the surrounding areas of west Waterford, east Limerick and west Kilkenny. It comprises 270 acres, 50 acres of which are owned by the IDA, as the Minister said. There is already a successful development on the site. Questum is an enterprise acceleration unit operated by the Technological University of the Shannon. That has been very successful in employing approximately 200 people in 15 different enterprises. It is vital that a significant anchor industry be secured for the site. I am aware of the plans and the planning application for an advanced factory solution. I also understand, as the Minister said, that the IDA is marketing the site by way of a promotional video, but 25 years is far too long to wait for an anchor tenant for a site that is vital for essential future industrial development in Clonmel and its surrounding areas.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I will point out that we have seen a significant increase in IDA activity and employment in the mid-west region - approximately 16% over the past five years. The Deputy will know of very important client companies in his region, including Boston Scientific and Waystone, where there has been a new investment of 100 jobs. Working very closely with my colleague, Michael Murphy, we are doing a huge amount of work on delivering infrastructure to the region that will support the growth of employment. That is why we see 5,589 people, which means 5,589 families, who go to work every single day in IDA client companies in County Tipperary. There are approximately 27,968 such jobs in the mid-west region. That is why the IDA strategy out to 2029 focuses on delivering on the investment that is currently there. As I said in my contribution, the amount that comes from existing clients, notwithstanding new clients coming into the economy is very significant. We will be working very hard on that. As Minister for enterprise, I will ensure that high-quality jobs are coming right across our region. Specifically, the new strategy calls for 55% of all new jobs to go to regional Ireland.

Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
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I remind the Minister that south Tipperary is not in the mid-west region. The IDA must ramp up its marketing of the Ballingarrane site. I am not satisfied that it has done enough. It must do more. I ask the Minister to intervene with the IDA to ramp up that marketing. There are some very successful industries in the area, including flagship industries, such as Abbott Vascular and Boston Scientific in Clonmel town and MSD in nearby Ballydine. The success of these industries should assist the IDA in securing an industry for the Ballingarrane site. As I said, this site is vitally important for the future industrial and social development of Clonmel and all the surrounding areas, including west Waterford, east Limerick and east Kilkenny. The sooner an anchor tenant is got for that site, the better.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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To be absolutely clear, the figures I gave for the IDA's marketing in the mid-west region are for Limerick, Clare and Tipperary, which are categorised together. The Deputy will see the results I pointed out. There are 27,000 jobs in that sector. There is also a very significant investment in the capital fund, where we have our advanced factory units, and where the IDA part the Deputy referenced is seeing the opportunity of that investment as it goes through the planning process.

We have to appreciate that it is very competitive to bring multinational investment into our country. Those who so often criticise the IDA for not doing enough also go against the key policies that bring that foreign direct investment into our country and allow it to sustain and grow. In one respect, it is fine to say the IDA is not doing enough to market the site, but it is also important to acknowledge that the consistent policies of the current and previous Governments have made us a very agile country, where we have 300,000 jobs in our economy in the FDI sector. Critically, that eco-cycle is joined with our SMEs and family businesses, where we have seen exceptional growth over the past number of years, in a context where Enterprise Ireland has targeted €50 billion of exports to 2029.