Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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26. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the proposed industrial park for Ballina, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52614/21]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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IDA Ireland actively promotes available buildings and land in IDA Business Parks and high-quality buildings in private ownership through their network of overseas offices. The IDA owns approximately 10.6 hectares of industrial zoned land on the Sligo Road in Quignashee, Ballina.

Planning permission was previously obtained for infrastructural development, although this has since expired. IDA Ireland continues to market the site to existing and prospective investors that may be interested in expanding or locating in County Mayo. The Agency is working in collaboration with Mayo County Council to review the best potential for the IDA Ballina lands to further support the objectives of IDA’s new strategy 2021-2024.

I am advised that IDA Ireland is at the final stages of completing its new planning application. A number of external factors delayed the Q3 submission objective, namely covid-19 restrictions for geotechnical site surveys and data analysis required to finalise the planning application details. IDA Ireland awaits a final confirmation of feasibility response from key stakeholders to include in the planning application and it is IDA's intention to lodge the planning application on receipt of same.

IDA Ireland will work with Mayo County Council to ensure the infrastructure development will be complementary to the wider development plans for Ballina and that the site, once developed will be positioned and marketed as a suitable location for indigenous and FDI developments.