Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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4. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the Industrial Development Agency Ireland has specific leads in relation to locating potential clients in counties Laois and Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18721/22]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Regional development is at the centre of IDA Ireland's current strategy Driving Recovery & Sustainable Growth 2021-2024, as evidenced by the fact the IDA is targeting half of all investments to regional locations.

The IDA Midlands region includes Longford and Westmeath, as well as Laois and Offaly. There are 49 IDA client companies in the Midlands Region, employing 6,868 people. The Foreign Direct Investment performance in the region has been consistent over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing significantly over that time. The region has an impressive range of companies across all industry sectors, with particular strengths in Life Sciences, Technology, Global Business Services, International Financial Services, and Engineering & Industrial Technologies.

As regards County Laois, there are currently 157 people employed across 5 IDA-supported companies. In July 2021 N’Ware Technologies, a Canadian software firm, announced the opening of its new sales and services centre in Mountrath, with the creation of 25 jobs. In July 2020, Greenfield Global officially opened its new €30m EU manufacturing headquarters in Portlaoise, supported by 75 employees.

With regards to County Offaly, there are 1,302 people currently employed in Offaly across 11 IDA-supported companies. In October 2021 Zoetis announced plans to significantly expand its manufacturing capabilities in Tullamore, with the development of a large new plant and the creation of up to 100 jobs. In February 2020 Steris AST announced the official opening of their multimillion expansion of its sterilisation facility located in the IDA’s Business and Technology Park, Tullamore.

The existing FDI base of client companies in the region continues to perform well in terms of their operational sustainability, job retention and ongoing transformation. It is not appropriate for me to comment on specific leads, in view of commercial sensitivities and the fact that not all clients wish to announce investments.

Both Laois and Offaly are also well served by an ever-expanding network of co-working hubs. Their appeal to new name IDA companies is exemplified by the decision of N’Ware to locate in the Bloom HQ hub in Mountrath, Co. Laois.