Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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75. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs in IDA-supported companies in Kilkenny at the end of March 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21404/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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There are 1,460 people currently employed in Kilkenny across 14 IDA supported companies. Recent announcements include the official opening in March 2024 of State Street’s International (Ireland) new 65,000 square foot office buildings in the IDA Business and Technology Park in Kilkenny. Also, in September 2024, UKG established a new global operation in Kilkenny with an announcement of 200 jobs.

The South-East Region comprises counties Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow and Wexford. There are 85 IDA client companies in the South-East Region, employing 15,580 people. The FDI performance in the region has been positive over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 15%. The South-East has a significant ecosystem of well-established companies across Technology, Life Sciences, International Financial Services and Engineering & Industrial Technologies which are complemented by research centres that help win new business and assist existing client companies with transformation.

The availability of property and infrastructure solutions can be the key differentiator in winning Foreign Direct Investment projects as well as investment by Irish-owned companies. In its new Strategy, the IDA’s Regional Building Programme 2025+ will consist of 23 projects across 21 locations in 8 regions, primarily manufacturing buildings. IDA will also partner with local authorities to deliver 9 Advance Planning Permits, including in Kilkenny. IDA will also continue its land acquisition strategy and infrastructure provision to support clients.

Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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76. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the IDA’s plans to increase investment and employment in Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21720/25]

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 Programme for Government and the White Paper on Enterprise, and is a key focus of the work of my Department and its agencies including the IDA. IDA Ireland is targeting 550 of a total target of 1,000 investments under its new strategy, Adapt Intelligently: A Strategy for Sustainable Growth and Innovation 2025-29, to regional locations.

County Louth continues to play a significant role in IDA Ireland’s regional investment strategy. As part of the Mid-East Region comprising Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, and Louth the county has seen consistent FDI performance over recent years, supported by strong regional collaboration, a strategic location and targeted investments. IDA Ireland continues to actively engage with local stakeholders and industry groups, including in County Louth, to create a supportive ecosystem for foreign direct investment. This collaboration ensures that regional investments have access to the necessary skills, research capabilities, and business networks. These partnerships are important in fostering a pro-enterprise environment and responding effectively to emerging economic challenges.Currently, there are 38 IDA client companies in Louth, employing 4,111 people. In 2024, Co. Louth experienced a number of jobs loss announcement in IDA client companies including by Becton Dickinson, Wasdell Ireland and PayPal. In March, Xerox also announced the closure of their facility in Co. Louth to take effect later this year. As a direct consequence, my Department and the IDA are using best endeavours to secure replacement projects notwithstanding that where a new investor decides to locate is ultimately a matter that each company itself decides.

More positively, over the past two years, several companies have announced significant investments in County Louth, including:

• MSD Ireland (January 2025): Acquisition of WuXi Vaccines' Dundalk site, 50 jobs / €500m investment
• Noesis (October 2024): Launch of a new IT Centre of Excellence, 30 jobs
• Anord Mardix (August 2024): Opening of a second facility in Dundalk
• ABB (February 2023): Opening of a new R&D Centre, 30 jobs