Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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125. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for a update on the construction of an advanced manufacturing facility at Marlinstown, Mullingar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17001/24]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the availability of appropriate, innovative, and cost-effective property solutions that meet the needs of multinational companies at the forefront of a modern economy remains essential to winning Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). In this context, the IDA Regional Property Programme has been designed to ensure the supply of land, buildings and essential infrastructure in regional locations as required by current and prospective clients of IDA as well as those of Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices.

Under its current strategy, 'Driving Recovery and Sustainable Growth 2021–2024’, IDA is progressing delivery of 19 Advanced Building Solutions (ABS) in regional locations. Eight properties have been completed since the start of the current strategy, in Monaghan, Sligo, Dundalk, Carlow, Waterford, Athlone, and 2 in Limerick. A further 5 buildings are anticipated to be on site in 2024 including the advanced manufacturing factory at Marlinstown Business Park, Mullingar.

In relation to the Marlinstown Business Park facility, IDA Ireland secured planning permission from Westmeath County Council in November 2022 for the construction of a c.50,000sq.ft. Advanced Building Solution consisting of office and light industrial/production spaces which also included provision for a vehicular/pedestrian entrance, signage, new timber post-and-rail boundaries, car parking, cycle shelters, landscaping, gas skid, underground storage tank, independent ESB substation & switch room building, access road and all associated site works.

IDA Ireland subsequently commenced the procurement process for the selection of a suitably qualified contractor to complete the development. However, the tender process was the subject of judicial review proceedings which are now concluded whereby a new procurement process will be required. I can advise the Deputy that this is being progressed at pace.

More generally, many factors impact on timelines for the delivery of construction projects including, site identification, willing vendors, planning, procurement & a variety of macro-economic factors. The construction industry also continues to be impacted by global supply chain and cost inflation challenges. Despite these challenges and the impacts on both works & budgets, IDA’s Property Division has maintained momentum on the delivery of its Regional Property Programme and is committed to the timely delivery of a building solution in Mullingar.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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127. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if IDA Ireland still plans to proceed with providing a new advance technology facility at Kerry Technology Park in Tralee, County Kerry; the reason for the apparent lack of progress on the plan over the past four years; the current position; if the target in respect of this facility as set out in IDA Ireland's own plans will be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17022/24]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Under its current strategy, ‘Driving Recovery and Sustainable Growth 2021–2024’, IDA is committed to delivering 19 Advance Building Solutions across six regions in 15 locations. Eight buildings are now complete, a further 5 buildings are expected to be "on site" in 2024 with the remainder in the planning and site selection stages. Moreover, the IDA has made considerable property investments in Kerry under this strategy, including the acquisition of over 16 hectares of lands at Kerry Technology Park.

As the Deputy is aware, Kerry Technology Park already is home to internationally recognised companies such as JRI America and Astellas, who, in September 2023, announced its intention to build a €330 million state-of-the-art facility in the park. In the context of this significant development at the Kerry site, IDA has now identified a suitable site within this land bank to accommodate the construction of the Advance Building Solution planned under its current strategy. I am advised that the IDA is working through a design process to secure planning permission at this location and is working to progress the project as expeditiously as possible. This application will have the potential to support not only future foreign direct investment but also indigenous industry across a number of sectors.

IDA Ireland continues to maintain a focus on its property portfolio in regional locations to support its project pipeline, including in Kerry, and will continue to position Kerry for virtual and in-person site visits to prospective companies in 2024 and beyond.