Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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341. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if Industrial Development Authority Ireland is satisfied with the provision and capacity of manufacturing and office space in Galway city and county such as is necessary to further attract inward investment to the area; if the IDA is considering the building of their own facilities for subsequent sale or lease so as to increase capacity; the location of any such developments and the status and progress of any such plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8073/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Under the Industrial Development Acts, the management of IDA Ireland’s property portfolio, including the provision of buildings for client companies, is a day to day operational matter for the Agency and not one in which I have a function.

I understand from IDA Ireland that the Agency has identified a number of locations where the private sector is unable to develop property solutions at present. In order to boost regional development and win new business, IDA Ireland proposes to build new advanced manufacturing facilities in Waterford and Athlone, and office space in Letterkenny. The Agency is also currently reviewing the available property stock in Galway and Limerick.

These locations have been chosen on the basis of projected opportunities, for which IDA Ireland are competing at present.

I should add that IDA Ireland has already invested in property solutions in Galway (Parkmore, Oranmore, Ballinasloe, Tuam, Loughrea and has purchased land for future strategic development in Athenry) and the Agency also partners with the private sector in the promotion of appropriate property solutions for FDI.

It is also worth remembering that County Galway has been particularly successful in recent years in terms of attracting inward investment from FDI companies, particularly in the areas of Medical Technologies and ICT. There are currently 60 IDA Ireland client companies employing some 13,615 people in Galway, city and county. IDA Ireland has strong relationships with these companies and works closely with them to ensure their long term sustainability and to encourage their growth, development and continuing re-investment in their sites.