John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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577.To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA-sponsored companies per county; and the number of jobs in IDA-sponsored companies, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32532/24]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Regional development is a key element of Government's enterprise policy, as set out in the White Paper on Enterprise, and is a key focus of the work of my Department and our Agencies. In that regard, IDA Ireland is committed to the pursuit of balanced, compact regional development and is targeting that at least half of all investments - that is 400 of 800 - from 2021 to 2024 to regional locations.

IDA has over 1,800 client companies within its portfolio employing 300,583 as at the end of 2023, with employment levels above 300,000 for the second consecutive year. Employment in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) companies now accounts for over 11% of the workforce. Additionally, my Department estimates that for every 10 jobs generated by FDI directly, another eight are created in the wider economy. This translates to over 540,000 direct and indirect jobs supported by FDI at the end of 2023, almost 20% of the workforce.

Investment by IDA Ireland through its Regional Property Programme aims to ensure the supply of land, buildings and infrastructure in regional locations which is a key element in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the regions. 131 investments were won in the first half of 2024, 74 of which were secured across regional locations, representing 56% of all investments. The total number of regional jobs now stands at 163,471 as at the end of 2023. The Midlands Region saw the strongest level of growth in 2023, up 5.8% on 2022 levels. There was also growth in the Border Region (up 2.7%) and Midwest Region (up 2.6%) with the Southwest and Southeast Regions up by 1.2% and 1.4% respectively. Elsewhere, job numbers in IDA clients in the West Region was down by 1.8% whilst Dublin and the Mid East Region declined by 1.2% and 4.8% respectively.

As requested the number of IDA client companies and jobs by county in 2023, which are the most up to date figures available, is set out in the table below.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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578.To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the construction of the advanced manufacturing facility at IDA Marlinstown Business Park, Mullingar, County Westmeath. [32918/24]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The availability of property and infrastructure solutions that meet the needs of Multi-National Corporations and indigenous clients remain essential to winning investments. IDA Ireland assists internationally trading enterprises, including clients of Enterprise Ireland and the LEOs, through its Regional Property Programme. This is especially important for IDA Ireland clients as a robust property and infrastructure ecosystem can be the key differentiator in winning Foreign Direct Investment projects.

In a challenging, competitive and uncertain global environment, IDA’s regional property programme ensures the supply of land, buildings and infrastructure in regional locations as required by current and prospective clients. Under its current strategy, ‘Driving Recovery and Sustainable Growth 2021–2024’, IDA is progressing delivery of 19 Advanced Building Solutions (ABS) in regional locations. This includes an ABS in Mullingar and, in that regard, 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 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, that tender process was the subject of judicial review proceedings, which have now been concluded, but which have significantly delayed the project. It is envisaged that IDA will be in a position to commence the procurement process for the appointment of a contractor in Q3 2024.