Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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38. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how his Department and relevant State agencies continue to partner with a company (details supplied) in areas of research and innovation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21545/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Established in 1968, Intel is one of the world’s largest semiconductor companies. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, and employing over 110,000 people worldwide, the company is one of the leading micro-electronic companies in the world. The company designs, manufactures, and sells microprocessors for computers, smartphones, and tablets, as well as embedded semiconductors for the industrial, medical, and automotive markets.Intel is a significant employer in Ireland. with Ireland being Intel’s centre of manufacturing excellence in Europe. The company has invested over €30 billion in Ireland since it first established. The company’s presence in Ireland since 1989 has helped to transform Ireland’s value proposition into a leading global location for major multinational capital investments at scale.

My Department, through IDA Ireland, continues to engage dynamically with Intel in a number of areas, including research, development and innovation and the IDA worked closely with Intel on the development of the recent €17 billion Fab 34 investment.

In line with the IDA Ireland strategy, Adapt Intelligently: A Strategy for Sustainable Growth and Innovation 2025-2029, IDA Ireland is seeking to strengthen long-term investment, maximise regional opportunities and scale cutting edge innovation, including with companies such as Intel, and others across its 1,800+ client base, many being the leading companies in their respective fields globally. Furthermore, the new IDA Strategy has identified Semiconductors as well as AI & Digital, Sustainability and Health as four key sectors where Ireland is committed to maintaining current investments as well as landing new ones.

IDA Ireland has been working with Intel in recent years to expand the company’s RD&I footprint, including engaging and collaborating with Irish and European institutions through the Horizon Europe, a key funding programme for research and innovation in Europe, as well as supporting the company to develop and implement new sustainable work practices. IDA Ireland and other relevant state agencies will continue to engage and work with Intel on developing the company’s innovation footprint in Ireland as the company navigates its current challenges.

Finally, I should add that the forthcoming National Semiconductor Strategy, which I will formally launch later this month, will include further commitments for the sector on RD&I, Skills & Talent and International Co-operation that will all be of value to Intel in Ireland.