Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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35. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation for an update on the Government's engagement with a company (details supplied) and a local authority in respect of a planned project that proposes to create a significant number of jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37150/15]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I met this company in June last to discuss their plans for a proposed Data Centre and shortly afterwards their planning application was lodged. Prior to that decision to proceed, IDA Ireland had worked closely with the company in support of its plans and I am very pleased that the company chose to commit to what is a very significant investment project. This company are world leaders in their field and already have a major facility in Ireland employing a large number of highly skilled staff. In this and other similar cases, there is constant State engagement, mainly through IDA Ireland, to work on any relevant ongoing issues and to promote new investment.

With regard to the planning process, this is obviously dealt with in an independent manner by the statutory authorities. It is very gratifying that Meath County Council, in granting planning permission, were able to process the application well within the prescribed timescale, despite the significance and complexity of the project. In addition, when an appeal was lodged with Bord Pleanála in mid-August last, that body was able to make a decision on the case in about half of their normal 4 month processing period. Their decision to approve the project was made on 23 October last and, in addition, Bord Pleanála at the same time also approved the electricity connection, which was required separately under the Critical Infrastructure planning provisions, and that decision was also made well ahead of the anticipated deadline.

I now look forward to the construction of this facility with the creation of a significant number of construction jobs and to the creation of permanent jobs when the facility is operational, and to its ongoing contribution to the development of the Digital Economy in Ireland.