Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

23. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will build an advanced Industrial Development Agency Ireland unit adjacent to Ireland West Airport in Knock in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2091/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Last February, I announced the development of Action Plans for each region in the country. To support this, IDA Ireland is leading a five-year €150 million capital investment programme to help attract more multinational jobs into each region.

IDA Ireland has begun a three-year building programme for state-of-the-art advanced technology buildings and office facilities in a number of regional locations where there has so far been insufficient private sector investment. The sites chosen were based on a number of criteria including population density, cluster of activities of other companies in the area and the presence of third level institutions. It is important to note that all investment is targeted at potential investment wins and associated job creation opportunities.

The Government announced in 2015 that three locations – Sligo, Tralee and Castlebar, which is in county Mayo – would be the key focus for the 2015 investment programme. In 2016 IDA Ireland plans to deliver facilities in Galway, Dundalk and Limerick, followed by Athlone, Carlow and Waterford in 2017.

In addition to the provision of two advanced building solutions by IDA Ireland in the West region, the Regional Action Plan for the counties of Galway, Mayo and Roscommon contains almost 200 actions for delivery by public bodies and the enterprise sector which will support enterprise growth and job creation in the region. The cumulative effect of this should make a real and lasting impact on the job-creation potential of the region.