Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 235: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number and location of factories owned by IDA Ireland or Enterprise Ireland in County Wicklow; the number which are vacant; the rental cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17234/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment to Ireland and its regions. As part of its responsibilities the agency is also charged with providing property solutions for clients of Enterprise Ireland.

The management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio, including decisions relating to property rental, are day to day operational matters for the agency and not matters in which I have a function.

IDA has a total of seven units in County Wicklow. These are located in the Arklow area, in Ballynattin, Croghan and Kilbride. Only one of these units is owned by IDA and the remaining six are leased from private investors. Of the seven units, six are occupied under long-term leases. The remaining property is not occupied under a long-term lease but is currently occupied on a temporary basis while the lease is being finalised.

There are effectively no rental costs associated with these units as rental payments to private investors are exactly offset by rental income from tenants.