Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

156. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA backed companies currently located in counties Cavan and Monaghan, in tabular form; the number of IDA backed companies located in counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; the number of site visits that were conducted by the IDA in each county in 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; the amount of funding that was expended by the IDA in each county in 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5601/24]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There are 72 IDA Ireland supported companies in the border region (Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, and Monaghan) that collectively employ 10,173 people, and 15 IDA supported companies in Cavan and Monaghan, collectively employing 1,104 people.

The Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) performance in the region has been strong over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 21% within the Engineering & Industrial Technologies, Medical Technologies, Technology, International Financial Services and Life Sciences sectors.

Key to the border region’s success is strategic collaboration with national and local stakeholders on the enhancement of the regional value proposition for FDI. In this regard, IDA Ireland welcomes the significant funding that Cavan and Monaghan have received under the Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF) to date which will add to the placemaking successes and the value proposition of both counties.

IDA is targeting 25 investments for the border region in the period 2021 to 2024 as part of its current strategy “Driving Recovery and Sustainable Growth 2021 to 2024" and will continue to actively promote Cavan and Monaghan as part of the wider Border value proposition. The region has fostered strong collaboration, for example through Atlantic Technological University Sligo’s participation in NIBRT, the development of the BORMAC (Border Region Manufacturing Cluster) and Atlantic Technological University Donegal’s engagement with client companies on the formation of a North-West chapter of Cyber Ireland. The agency will build on the strengths and competencies of the region and take advantage of opportunities in emerging technologies and business models, including home and hub working.

Moreover, IDA Ireland has recently completed the construction of an Advance Building Solution in Monaghan as part of its Regional Property Programme which it is actively marketing to potential FDI clients. The agency also plans to deliver an Advanced Building Solution in Cavan which is currently at Phase 1 of a tendering process.

The most recent investment announcement was in March 2022, when California head-quartered Ultra Clean Holdings Inc. announced an Advanced Technology Cleaning Centre in Cavan, which will create approximately 100 jobs when fully operational.

IDA Ireland will continue to work closely with existing clients across the region to retain and strengthen their presence through transformation as well as pursuing new areas of opportunity and is working with Enterprise Ireland and its indigenous base of companies to identify synergies and collaborative opportunities, to build value chain linkages and to advance clustering.

Finally, the number of companies located in Cavan and Monaghan, the number of site visits that were conducted by the IDA in each county and the amount of funding that was expended by the IDA in each county in 2021, 2022, 2023, is set out in the table below.

*2023 site visits is to Q3 2023.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

157. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline what assurances were given to a company (details supplied) in relation to a plant prior to its construction and to publish any letters containing such assurances. [5633/24]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It would be inappropriate for me to comment on any aspect of an appeal undertaken by a company in respect of an EPA decision. I note the Deputy is referring to matters dating back some 50 years ago and I am advised that IDA Ireland does not have records dating back to 1974.

Aughinish Alumina manufactures alumina, a feedstock for the production of aluminium metal, which is sold to smelters for down-stream processing. The economic benefits arising from Aughinish are significant especially to the region. It employs circa 780 people on the site in Askeaton, made up of 480 permanent direct employees along with an additional 300 permanent full-time contractors. The wage bill is c. €50 million per year and expenditure on goods and services is in excess of €44 million per year. In addition, it is the biggest user of the Port of Foynes, Askeaton, the largest ratepayer in Co. Limerick and is the county’s largest single-site user of energy which it generates from its own "CHP" (Combined Heat and Power) plants and the unused balance is sold to the Irish grid and powers c. 220,000 homes.

Similar to all IDA clients, IDA Ireland maintains a working relationship with the company. IDA Ireland can support clients on their journeys to decarbonisation.