Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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153. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the status of the provision of water and sewerage facilities for the IDA lands at Athenry, County Galway (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23896/20]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The availability of marketable lands in advance of demand continues to be a crucial ingredient in the IDA’s capacity to compete for mobile foreign direct investment (FDI). Not only does such a supply of properties help the Agency to secure high quality jobs but it also allows projects to begin at an earlier date by diminishing difficulties associated with land acquisition, planning and construction. It therefore remains an important means by which the IDA can encourage and attract new investors to Ireland, particularly to regional locations.

The IDA Ireland Athenry Strategic Site is a key asset in the Agency's property portfolio and forms part of the Strategic Economic Corridor in the Galway County Development Plan. The site is concept master planned and all available lands are marketed to prospective investors through the IDA's network of offices in Ireland and overseas. 

As the Deputy may be aware, the IDA completed a Phase 2 infrastructure project in 2018 which consisted of further access infrastructure of two new bridges over the R348 and the Dublin to Galway railway line. This project also included the extension of access infrastructure to service the northern portion of the Athenry site.

The IDA is currently progressing a further technical design review for a Phase 3 project. This includes the delivery of treated water and disposal waste water infrastructure. These works will require further capital investment and engagement with key stakeholders including the Electricity Supply Board (ESB), Irish Water and local authorities.

County Galway has traditionally been a strong performer in terms of FDI and the IDA continues to draw the attention of clients looking to invest or expand in the County, including Athenry. Galway has seen an increase in employment numbers with over 850 net new jobs created by IDA Ireland client companies in 2019. The enterprise agencies under my remit will continue to engage with their clients and with one another to secure further investment and job creation for Galway and the West region.