Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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29. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the efforts being pursued to promote the IDA business park in Mullingar. [42957/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The property in question is a 22.5 hectare IDA Ireland business and technology park located in Marlinstown, Co Westmeath. The park is fully zoned and serviced and is currently home to one IDA client company, an engineering and industrial firm which employs approximately 40 people at the site.  

IDA Ireland continues to market the park to potential investors through its network of overseas offices. The park has also been brought to the attention of companies already located in Ireland who may be considering expanding further here. The Agency remains focused on finding further investors for the facility.  

More broadly, the IDA markets Mullingar as part of the Midlands Region, which includes three other counties: Longford, Laois and Offaly.  There are 30 multinational companies based in the region, employing 4,280 across all four counties. The Agency is determined to increase those numbers and it has appointed a dedicated Regional Manager to the region to further aid its efforts to grow investment in the wider area.

County Westmeath has a strong base of foreign direct investment (FDI) with 13 companies employing 2,571 people there. Three of these companies are based in Mullingar and between them employ 150 people. The IDA actively engages with this existing client base to support them in growing their business and to encourage efforts to expand their current footprint. The company currently located in the Marlinstown Business Park, for example, previously announced a 30 person expansion at the opening of its new manufacturing facility in 2015.

The IDA is also investing directly in property solutions for FDI in the Midlands and has received planning permission for one office building in Athlone, which should be ready for occupation in 2018. This is in addition to an advanced technology building which is now occupied by Aerie Pharmaceuticals.

In addition, the Agency has undertaken a number of general initiatives in the Midlands region to encourage investment. This has included introducing indigenous companies to multinational firms so that Irish businesses are best placed to win new contracts and thereby ensure their long-term sustainability. The Agency has also launched a digital marketing campaign to market the Midlands Region for potential investors and this is used overseas by IDA executives to showcase particular locations. The Agency also has regular engagement with the Chief Executives of the relevant Local Authorities to ensure that a mutually supportive approach is taken to win new investment and jobs.