Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

59. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline the progress that the IDA and Mayo County Council are making on the delivery of an advance building solution for Castlebar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45178/22]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 29,000 on 2020. Growth outside of Dublin was particularly buoyant with 53%, that is 133 projects of the 249 investments won going to regional locations and employment growth was recorded in every region of the country.

IDA Ireland’s Regional Property Programme is aimed at supporting economic development and job creation across IDA’s, Enterprise Ireland and local LEO’s respective client base. The RPP has enabled the winning of capital-intensive projects of significant scale to regional locations over the past 5 years. It is crucial that the region has a competitive, sustainable property offering to enable the attraction and retention of investment and jobs.

IDA Ireland have publicly committed to build a second Advanced Building Solution in Castlebar under their new strategy, “Driving Recovery & Sustainable Growth 2021-2024”, to support the winning of new investment and job creation.

The site selection process for the new building is well underway. On conclusion of site selection, the design and planning phases will commence. The specific dates for commencement of construction are wholly dependent on, and subject to the successful outcome of these processes. I am assured that the IDA will use its best endeavours to deliver the building in a timely manner. IDA Ireland has engaged with Mayo County Council on its plans.

Despite the success of IDA Property Programme, the programme alone cannot meet the needs of enterprise across every region. The Agency continues to work with regional stakeholders and the private sector on opportunities to add to the supply of competitive land and property solutions in regional locations.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

60. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the most recent occasion on which the IDA visited County Carlow; the number of new jobs that have been created by the IDA in the past 12 months in the county; the steps that the IDA Ireland is taking to attract companies to the county; when a new site visit is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44772/22]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

IDA markets Carlow as part of the South East region for FDI investment. There are 4 FDI companies in Carlow with a combined employment of 1,477. In 2021, 178 new jobs were created in Carlow.

In response to COVID related global travel restrictions, IDA migrated many of its business development and client engagement activities to digital platforms during 2020 and 2021. As part of this, the Agency developed and put in place an E-Site Visit experience for potential investors. There were two in person site visits to Carlow in the first half of 2022. At the moment there are no planned visits for the rest of 2022.

IDA is building a new 34,000st ft. Advanced Building Solution in Carlow Town. The building is making good progress and is scheduled to be completed before the end of 2022. This will further enable the Enterprise agencies to attract companies and to create opportunities to win additional investment for Carlow.

IDA Ireland will continue to market Carlow and the South-East Region through its overseas offices to target mobile FDI opportunities, with corresponding site visits. IDA Ireland will be targeting Lifesciences, Medical Devices, Financial Services and Technology sectors for investment opportunities in RD&I, advanced manufacturing, global business services and technology development.