Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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176. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a visit has taken place to a location (details supplied) in the past twelve months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7869/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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IDA Ireland has weekly engagement with client companies and key stakeholders in County Mayo. In the West Region there are 126 IDA supported companies, employing 31,490 people in total. There are 17 IDA supported companies in Mayo employing 5,525 in total. There has been a 34% increase in employment in IDA Ireland supported companies in County Mayo between 2012 and 2022. There was one in-person site visit in Mayo in 2022.

The provision of property solutions is a key element in IDA’s marketing of Mayo and the West Region. In that regard IDA, as part of the Regional Property Programme, has delivered an advance technology building to Castlebar, which has been occupied by Meissner Filtration Products, with a second advance building solution due to be delivered. Moreover, IDA Ireland works in partnership with Local Authorities, other key stakeholders, and the private sector, on the provision of both lands and buildings to support both the IDA Ireland, MNCs and Enterprise Ireland client company requirements.

In relation to the Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) at Ireland West Airport Knock, IDA Ireland has visited and met with key stakeholders over recent years. While IDA Ireland has not had any company site visits to the SDZ, IDA Ireland continues to engage with the relevant stakeholders on the Ireland West Airport Knock SDZ, through the West Regional Enterprise Plan which include specific objectives aligned to the SDZ.

More generally, the West Region has a significant ecosystem of well-established Life Sciences companies, which has helped drive strong cluster development. The number of people employed in software engineering, technical support, global business services and R&D in the Region has also grown considerably in recent years. Furthermore, the city of Galway is a crucial part of the West’s attractiveness to FDI aligned with Project Ireland 2040 which includes Galway as one of four cities with ambitious population growth targets to 2040.

Finally, in 2023, IDA Ireland will continue to market Mayo and the West through its overseas offices to target mobile FDI opportunities. 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.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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177. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the land that has been purchased (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7871/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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IDA Ireland works in partnership with Local Authorities, other key stakeholders, and the private sector on the provision of both lands and buildings to support both the IDA Ireland, MNCs and Enterprise Ireland client company requirements.  In this regard, the provision of property solutions is a key element in IDA’s marketing of Mayo and the West Region. IDA Ireland keeps its land holding nationally under constant review and in 2022, IDA Ireland completed the strategic land acquisition of c.42 hectares of land in County Galway, however, IDA Ireland did not complete the acquisition of any lands in County Mayo in 2022. 

IDA Ireland have publicly committed to build a new, second, Advance Technology Building in Castlebar 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 can assure the Deputy that IDA will use its best endeavours to deliver the building in a timely manner.  Moreover, IDA Ireland has engaged regularly with Mayo County Council on its plans.

IDA Ireland has frequent engagement with client companies and stakeholders in County Mayo. In the West Region there are 126 IDA supported companies, employing 31,490 people in total.  There has been a 46% increase in employment in IDA Ireland supported client companies in the West Region during the period 2012-2022.  In Mayo, there are 17 IDA supported companies employing 5,525 in total.  There has been a 34% increase in employment in IDA Ireland supported companies in County Mayo between 2012 and 2022.

In 2023, IDA Ireland will continue to market Mayo and the West through its overseas offices to target mobile FDI opportunities.  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.

The city of Galway is a crucial part of the West’s attractiveness to FDI aligned with Project Ireland 2040 which includes Galway as one of four cities with ambitious population growth targets to 2040. IDA Ireland is also fully conscious that the Strategic Economic Corridor to the East of Galway City has been included in successive Galway County Development Plans, as this location is a strategically important area which is highly accessible and has easy access and a high concentration of established and valuable infrastructure.

Overall, the West Region has a significant ecosystem of well-established Life Sciences companies, which has helped drive strong cluster development. The number of people employed in software engineering, technical support, global business services and R&D in the Region has also grown considerably in recent years, and will remain a key objective for IDA Ireland.