Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for taking time to be here. A very impressive, brand-spanking-new IDA advanced technology building, ATB, was completed in Monaghan in 2021 but has been lying idle waiting for an occupier since then. The new 1,400 sq. m building is in the industrial park in Knockaconny, just outside Monaghan town, and has ancillary office space over two floors. ATBs are designed to facilitate a change of function to advanced office buildings if required, and also have 100% capacity expansion, which is very much welcome. IDA Ireland's ATBs offer ready-for-occupation, high-spec, flexible and sustainable property solutions suitable for high-value manufacturing and global businesses services to support the winning of investment from IDA clients. The Monaghan development is part of IDA Ireland's wider regional property programme, the objective of which is to develop property solutions in regional locations across the country in places like Monaghan. As part of the regional property programme, advanced buildings have been constructed, completed and occupied in many other parts of the country, which is very welcome. This initiative is vital in supporting the Border region in particular because in the past, the region has been left behind when it comes to foreign direct investment. This new facility must now help to attract more investment to a county and region that has previously fended for itself.

I am aware that advertisements to potential investors began when the building in Knockaconny was completed towards the end of 2021. The IDA has expressed confidence in attracting new investors but, unfortunately, without success to date. The IDA has said that it is actively marketing this state-of-the-art facility in all of its 24 global offices. This is very welcome. I hope the IDA can find an investor with long-term potential to expand and grow in that location. County Monaghan and the wider Border regions have long exported their children to the capital and further afield, when there were not the types of jobs they needed to get back in their own locality. We hope we can reverse that trend. It is long overdue that there would be some FDI with the potential to attract our young graduates to return in the long term.

Of course, we recognise the finer points of ongoing negotiations and commercial sensitivities. Bearing that in mind, I would be grateful if the Minister of State could give us an update as to where we are in trying to find an occupier for the brand-new building.

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I thank Senator Gallagher for raising this issue. I am here on behalf of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Peter Burke. Regional development is a key element of this Government's enterprise policy, as set out in the programme for Government and the White Paper on enterprise. It is a key focus of the work of the Department and its agencies.Accordingly, regional development is also a priority for the IDA. In that regard, the IDA published its new strategy, Adapt Intelligently: A Strategy for Sustainable Growth and Innovation 2025-29, in February of this year. That strategy aims to attract 1,000 investments over the five years of its currency, with 550 specifically targeted for regional locations outside Dublin. This ambitious target reflects IDA Ireland’s ongoing commitment to support transformation and growth in the regions and was a key metric for the Minister for enterprise, tourism and employment when recommending the strategy to Government.

Currently, IDA Ireland client companies directly employ more than 160,000 people in regional locations across our country, or 55% of total client employment. There are seven IDA-supported companies in Monaghan, employing 258 people out of a total of 31,000 employed across the country. The IDA’s regional property programme ensures the supply of land, buildings and infrastructure in regional locations as required by current and prospective clients of both the IDA and Enterprise Ireland. The programme aims to address market failure by having advanced sites available for prospective investors, although investors themselves take that ultimate decision on where to locate. For both the Department and the IDA, it is crucial that the Border region has a competitive, sustainable property offering to enable the attraction and retention of investment and jobs and the regional property programme seeks to support that objective.

As part of the IDA’s marketing efforts, the IDA emphasises the significant strengths that Monaghan and the Border region have to offer potential investors. A key feature of this offering is the IDA’s new 16,000 sq. ft advanced building solution, ABS, in IDA Monaghan business and technology park, Knockaconny, County Monaghan.

As the Senator will be aware, it is a well-established part of our enterprise policy that the availability of property and infrastructure solutions can be a key differentiator in investment decisions made by companies. In that regard, the provision of property solutions continues to be a key element of the IDA’s marketing of the Border region and the IDA is currently actively and positively engaged with an Enterprise Ireland company in respect of a proposed letting of the Monaghan ABS building. However, the engagement remains subject to contract so I must respect the commercial sensitivities which are at play at present.

Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for that very positive contribution on this unit that has been vacant for a number of years. Ultimately, the final decision rests with those who wish or do not wish to locate, as the Minister of State said. However, I am very heartened by the response this morning. The fact there are negotiations with a company is very positive and I appreciate there is only so far the Minister of State can go and so much she can say. This is the first breakthrough we have had since 2021, so I will take that as a positive. Hopefully, the negotiations the Minister of State alluded to that are all subject to contract or contract denied will get over the line and find an end user there that will be of huge benefit to the local economy of Monaghan. I am very heartened and thank the Minister of State for her response.

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Senator for raising this issue. I reiterate that the IDA is currently engaged with an Enterprise Ireland company about the proposed letting of the Monaghan ABS building, subject to contract. The Minister is confident that the IDA will do all in its power to bring that to a successful outcome. As the Senator is aware, the ultimate decision as to where a company locates its operations is a matter for the company itself.

A core objective of IDA Ireland is to enable, influence and deliver a competitive property offering which promotes national economic investments, supports willing FDI and the growth and expansion of indigenous clients within the Enterprise Ireland portfolio. The IDA is maintaining momentum on the delivery of its regional property programme across the country. I assure the Senator that the IDA will continue to market Monaghan and the Border region through its overseas offices to target FDI opportunities with corresponding site visits.