William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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13. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his Department’s timeline for identification and servicing of the large-scale regional next generation sites for future FDI and enterprise; in which counties these will be located; the means by which local enterprise offices and regional agencies will be involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62203/25]

William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the opportunity to raise this important question with the Minister. Ireland's success in attracting world-class investment has depended on our ability to offer fully serviced, high-quality industrial and enterprise sites. As we look to the next generation of investment in manufacturing, green energy and digital innovation, we must ensure that every part of the country, including the midlands and County Laois in particular, is ready to compete. My question to the Minister is what the Department's timeline for identifying and servicing large-scale regional next generation sites for foreign direct investment and enterprise is, where they will be located and how local enterprise offices, regional agencies and local authorities will be involved in their development.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Developing next generation sites is essential for Ireland to remain competitive if we wish to attract further large-scale, high-value manufacturing opportunities such as major semiconductor and biopharma investments. The next generation site approach will be plan-led, streamlining development and reducing planning risks, and provide pre-permitted, utility-intensive sites, enabling swift development and certainty for investors. Each site will be developed in stages over a number of years to facilitate incremental investment in the necessary infrastructure. Funding for land acquisition for the first two sites, planned for the west and east of the country, is coming from my Department's capital allocation under the revised national development plan. A third site is planned for the south in future years.

Each next generation site development will be undertaken in consultation with local authorities with sites of either 1,000 acres or 500 to 600 acres for tier 2 proposals, in line with the programme for Government and our semiconductor strategy commitment. The IDA will engage with relevant local authorities throughout the process. The sectors targeted by next generation sites will provide quality, skilled employment that pays high salaries, thereby contributing to our corporation tax, PAYE and PRSI receipts. Additionally, further returns on investment will come from site rental or sale.

At a local level, Irish-owned enterprises will benefit from site development opportunities as well as ongoing subsupply to and spin-outs from the large-scale FDI envisaged, as has been confirmed in many studies of past FDI gains, including through the recent mapping of semiconductor sites in our next-generation strategy. Next generation sites will demonstrate that Ireland is a suitable location for establishing new large-scale operations as well as for winning future large-scale foreign direct investment. We are clear that we will not continue investments on yesterday's terms. We need more ambition and to get that next wave of investment. The next generation initiative will sit alongside the IDA's regional property programme, which, during the 2025 to 2029 lifetime of its current strategy, will deliver 23 projects across 21 locations in eight regions, primarily focusing on manufacturing buildings. The IDA will also plan to continue to invest in its existing property portfolio, including land banks, business parks and industrial parks.

William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his response. The next generation sites initiative represents a real opportunity to prepare Ireland for the industries of tomorrow. In Laois, we have the location, the infrastructure and a workforce ready to go. What we need now is clear prioritisation and early investment so that we are fully prepared to deliver for the new enterprises of the FDI projects that come on stream. Laois, as the Minister knows, is strategically positioned, with the M7 and M8 motorways, strong rail connectivity and proximity to Dublin and the south-east ports. Laois offers a skilled workforce in manufacturing logistics and technology, and growing potential in green energy. I know the Minister is committed to balanced regional development, sustainable jobs and giving every county, including Laois, a fair chance to attract the next generation of investment. I am asking his Department to continue to engage with Laois County Council, the local enterprise offices, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland to ensure that Laois and the midlands are represented in the first wave of large-scale, next generation sites.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I am happy to work with Deputy Aird in Laois to ensure that Laois continues to grow. We have our advanced planning permit, which we are now working with IDA Ireland and Laois County Council on for our advanced building solution. It is important that we can reduce lead times and give certainty in that regard. We had a great day at Midland Steel, where we have 70 jobs. It is a good example of where Laois is at the cutting edge of innovation in areas that are critical to the supply chain of our economy. There will be significantly more opportunities. About 145 people are employed by IDA companies in Laois, which I know Deputy Aird is a strong supporter of. I am happy to work with the Deputy in the future to ensure that we grow our footprint of foreign direct investment. I am clear that Laois needs to get more. It is absolutely an area that needs to be enhanced and have further growth of employment opportunities. We need to put in the infrastructure, reduce the timelines and reduce uncertainty, as we are planning to do with our advanced permit. I look forward to working with the Deputy in those areas.

William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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We have the lowest job creation from IDA Ireland in the State at the moment.

I wanted to talk to the Minister about Leprino. I thank him for visiting Leprino in Portlaoise and working with me and the other people. The announcement that Leprino Foods will close its facility in Portlaoise is a huge blow to us in Portlaoise, to County Laois more widely and to the 130 skilled workers who are working in Leprino, their families and the wider local community. We need urgent and co-ordinated action on this. Will the Minister confirm whether a dedicated task force will be established to bring together the Minister's Department, Laois County Council, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and all relevant stakeholders to safeguard the jobs, support affected workers and attract new investment to this site, which as the Minister knows, is a state-of-the art site? It is a site where huge investment was put in for all new builds and equipment. This site would be available for many different workforce skills and opportunities. It is just to ensure that the building continues in operation.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Aird for raising Leprino Foods and the 132 jobs there, which are valued. I know it is working under a timeline at the moment. We are working so hard with Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, looking at a prospectus for a site, because it is a highly valued building. It is highly regulated and utility-rich. It provides a significant offering for a company. We are working really hard to get another buyer and a company into it because it provides a unique location. It has the infrastructure, the connectivity and the talent, and I know it is important to those 132 families who rely on those jobs in Leprino that we get a future for the site. I know Deputy Aird is very much engaged in it. I met the management there. I went through all the options regarding how we got to this stage. I know it can be frustrating to lose high-value jobs like that but we will work so hard to get them replaced. We will work closely with the Deputy. I met and briefed him after our meeting and he has been centrally involved in trying to ensure that we get more services and high-valued jobs and, critically, look out for the futures of those 132 families who are really dependent on the Government getting a response here.