Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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51. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the up-to-date position regarding the provision of an advance technology building at Kerry Technology Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45001/22]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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2021 was a record-breaking year for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) employment, with total employment in IDA client companies now standing at 275,384, up over 17,000 on 2020. Growth outside of Dublin was particularly buoyant with 53% or 133 projects of the 249 investments won going to regional locations and employment growth was recorded in every region of the country.

The IDA’s property investment in the regions is aimed at supporting economic development and job creation across IDA’s, Enterprise Ireland and local LEO’s respective client base. It is crucial that the South-West region has a competitive, sustainable property offering to enable the attraction and retention of investment and jobs.

IDA Ireland is committed to building a new (second) Advanced Technology Building in Tralee. In July last, IDA Ireland announced that it has signed Heads of Terms with Shannon Commercial Enterprises DAC to progress with the acquisition of the remaining lands at Kerry Technology Park, Tralee. Progress on this IDA land acquisition is ongoing.

This significant investment by IDA Ireland in the South-West Region aims to future-proof the property offering in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the region and to Kerry in particular.

IDA Ireland is proposing to identify a site within the land bank to accommodate the construction of an Advance Building Solution as announced as part of the IDA Strategy Driving Recovery & Sustainable Growth 2021 – 2024.

Securing planning permission and the construction of the building will take time, but it is intended that the building will be delivered during the life of the current IDA Strategy. The advanced technology building once completed may support either a new office or industrial investment given their flexible nature.

The Strategy also states that IDA will continue to work closely with the private sector to secure the provision of appropriate and cost-effective building and property solutions for client companies and that additional upgrade works, and investment are planned for IDA Parks in the region.

IDA Ireland continues to engage with new companies on promoting Ireland as a location for their business and the Agency will continue to position County Kerry for virtual and in-person site visits to prospective companies throughout 2022 and beyond.