Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 126: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if progress has been made in regard to the sale or use of Industrial Development Authority lands in south Kildare (details supplied); if she or the IDA has had further meetings with Kildare County Council as to possible partnership agreements for the use of these lands as incubation or commercial units; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17414/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio is a day-to-day operational matter for the Agency, as part of the statutory responsibility assigned to it by the Oireachtas, and it is not a matter in which the Minister of the day has any involvement. I am informed by IDA Ireland that, at present, the Agency has approximately 2.27 hectares remaining available in Monasterevin, approximately 1.77 hectares remaining available in Athy, (Woodstock), and approximately 1.53 hectares remaining available in Castledermot. The Agency has no lands in Kildare town.

I understand that IDA approved the sale of all these lands to Kildare County Council at its Board Meeting on 9th April,2003, but this transaction was never finalised due to a failure in negotiations. IDA is currently reviewing the future use of the lands. As part of this, in November 2008 IDA had meetings with Kildare County Council to determine their interest in the acquisition of these lands. In January 2009, Kildare County Council confirmed that due to the present financial position facing Kildare County Council the local authority would not be in a position to purchase the sites.