Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

Recognising that urban environments are generally more attractive for mobile investments, IDA Ireland has adopted a target of having 50% of all new greenfield investment located in the Objective One region. IDA Ireland has sought to encourage investments in defined sectors to specific regions, which seeks to build on the relative advantages in different towns. An essential part of this endeavour has been the refining of IDA Ireland property offerings, a key tool in winning investments.

IDA Ireland has designed and developed high quality business parks, fully serviced to international standards, and continues to do so. In Tuam, IDA Ireland has acquired 27 acres and is currently carrying out site development works after which it intends to have a high quality facility provided by the private sector. At Loughrea, it is upgrading land to make it more marketable and in Gort it has a 20,000 sq. ft. high-quality building which it is actively promoting for suitable projects.