Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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365. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the actions being taken by the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to support new businesses and jobs in County Meath. [2164/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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IDA Ireland achieved excellent results in 2024 with continued strong levels of investment and employment across the FDI sector, reporting a total of 234 investments with the potential to create 13,500 jobs over the next few years. 69 investments were from new name, or first-time, investors, strongly indicating Ireland’s ongoing attractiveness as an FDI location. However, both Government and the IDA are clear that Ireland cannot afford to be complacent about FDI and fundamental to delivering continued growth and success is a continued focus on competitiveness, agile policies and delivery of national infrastructure as reflected in the new Programme for Government.

The IDA Mid-East Region of Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow has a significant ecosystem of well-established companies across Technology, Life Sciences, International Financial Services and Engineering & Industrial Technologies. FDI clients in County Meath have experienced steady employment growth over the last 5 years resulting from a strong performance in new investment including expansions and Research Development & Innovation. Meath’s FDI employment was recorded at 3,047 across 16 client companies, an increase of 19% on the previous year. Recent IDA investments in County Meath include PCI’s announcement of it's plans to construct a new pharmaceutical packaging facility in Stamullen, and MSD's announcement of its first biologics drug substance single use commercialisation facility in Dunboyne. This performance represents a strong track record of FDI in the county and will be leveraged when marketing the county for new investment. Mpreover, IDA is actively engaged with client companies in County Meath, focusing on supporting their existing operation as well as new investment opportunities.

The competition for FDI continues to intensify as countries increase their focus on self-sufficiency and economic security. However, Ireland’s value proposition for inward investment remains strong, based on offering a safe and stable investment location with access to the EU market, an educated and skilled workforce, an attractive environment where people want to live and work, a competitive, consistent and transparent corporate tax regime and an excellent return on investment.

Additionally, the availability of property and infrastructure solutions is a key factor in investment decisions and a robust property and infrastructure ecosystem can be the key differentiator in winning Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects. In this regard, IDA Ireland’s Regional Property Programme is aimed at supporting economic development and job creation across the country by providing property solutions for its own, as well as Enterprise Ireland and LEO, clients and IDA Ireland facilitates both virtual and in-person sites visits for companies. IDA has Business and Technology Parks with available lands in Navan (65 acres) and Drogheda (8 acres).

In terms of Enterprise Ireland, employment in EI-supported firms grew by 8% in County Meath in 2024 and this performance is set against employment growth of 3% for Enterprise Ireland support clients in all of Ireland during 2024. In total there are now 9,034 people employed in Enterprise Ireland supported companies in County Meath, a net increase of 672 jobs since 2023. An example of the positive developments that have occurred in the county in 2024 includes Logistics company Primeline Group. They announced 400 jobs across a range of disciplines, with the opening of a €50 million distribution hub in Ashbourne, Co Meath during 2024. The company said the new 360,000sq/ft development is the largest Irish-owned net zero energy building compliant distribution centre. The story of Primeline Group is one of ambition and entrepreneurship, and the group has built a truly impressive presence across Ireland and the UK. The rolling out of this project will no doubt be a major asset to its growth in Ashbourne and the wider region.