Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
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54. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the discussions his Department have had with the IDA to ascertain plans and schedules for the development of the 30-hectare business park they own in Portlaoise, County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50756/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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IDA Ireland remains committed to regional development as one of four key strategic objectives of its 2025–2029 strategy, “Adapt Intelligently”, with an ambitious target for 550 of the 1000 investments targeted over the lifetime of the strategy to be in the regions including 40 in the Midlands.

There are currently 145 people employed across 5 IDA-supported companies in Laois. The FDI performance in the midlands has been strong over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 26 and a significant ecosystem of well-established companies across Life Sciences, Technology, Global Business & Financial Services and Engineering & Industrial Technologies.

IDA Ireland partners with clients and key stakeholders to build on the strengths and competencies of the Midlands region with a particular focus on high value manufacturing, services and research and development opportunities across a number of established clusters in Life Sciences, Technology, and Global Business Services. Emerging technology trends have and will continue to create new opportunities across the region in areas such as data analytics, smart manufacturing, cybersecurity and new approaches to working such as co-working hubs.

The availability of suitable property can play a key part in investment decisions. In this regard, the key objective of IDA Ireland's regional property programme is to deliver agile, sustainable, flexible property offerings which supports Foreign Direct Investment and the growth and expansion of indigenous clients within the Enterprise Ireland portfolio.

The proposed Regional Building Programme 2025 - 2029 will consist of 23 projects across 21 locations in 8 regions and primarily manufacturing buildings. Over the next five years, IDA will aim to complete 6 buildings currently under construction, in planning or procurement stages including Cavan, Letterkenny, Drogheda, Mullingar, Longford, and Castlebar. Additionally, 6 new builds will commence in Dundalk, Limerick, Athlone, Sligo, Galway, and Waterford. All subject to successful, planning and procurement phases. IDA will also partner with local authorities and will deliver 9 Advance Planning Permits in Letterkenny, Mayo, Tullamore, Mullingar, Kilkenny, Navan, Portlaoise, Tralee and Roscommon.

As the Deputy is aware, IDA Ireland has made considerable investments in land, buildings and infrastructure across the Midlands region, acquiring c.18.46 hectares of land adjacent to the Business and Technology Park in Portlaoise in 2022 and an additional c.4.25 hectares in 2024 and currently has c.29.66 hectares available for promotion.

I am advised that the partnership with Laois County Council to deliver an Advance Planning Permit in Portlaoise is currently at the site selection stage.