Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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287. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding landholdings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31131/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The availability of an adequate supply of marketable serviced land and buildings in advance of demand is a key element in IDA Ireland's ability to compete for mobile foreign direct investment. That is because the availability of property solutions for potential investors allows projects to commence at an earlier date by diminishing much of the difficulties associated with land acquisition, planning and construction. It is therefore an important means by which the IDA can secure new investments for the country.

IDA Ireland collates data on land ownings using hectares as its principal unit of measurement. The IDA's property portfolio consists of approximately 4,400 hectares, which is made up of business and technology parks, industrial estates and strategic sites. Of this, approximately 1,100 hectares of land is available for marketing and around 3,300 hectares of land is currently in use. I understand that the Agency does not collate data on land currently in use by hectare. However, it does hold this data on land available for marketing.  

I have been informed by the Agency that the majority of the IDA's lands were acquired over 30 years ago. As a result, collating details on the date of purchase for each of these holdings will take some time. The table below, however, provide details of all IDA Ireland land currently available for marketing.

Table - Available IDA Owned Land by County