Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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438. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the work being undertaken by his Department to secure new employment at a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61027/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, Cardinal Health made the decision last year to cease operations at its Tullamore site by March 2026 and my foremost concern continues to be for the staff and their families impacted by this company-decision. Since the announcement, IDA Ireland has continued to engage with local and senior corporate leaders at Cardinal Health to explore all avenues of opportunity for the site.

For the employees affected by this decision, there is an established process of coordinated engagement by our agencies at a local level to provide supports to employees, which sees IDA partnering with local agencies. The types of supports/initiatives provided by local agencies has been communicated to the site leadership and can include the following:

•Outplacement employment support services and potential training opportunities may be provided/facilitated by the company and/or other providers (ETBs/Skillnet, etc..) to support impacted employees.

•Provision of a detailed skills profile for the employees on the site; and when individuals will be available, which can be shared with other potential employers.

•Recruitment opportunities through identification and connection with other employers who may be hiring across the locality and wider region.

•Marketing of the property solution, when appropriate through agents appointed by the company, and by IDA Ireland through its global office network.

•Information sessions by the Department of Social Protection's Intreo Office to impacted employees on social welfare services and employment support services to support impacted employees’ transition to new employment opportunities.

•Identification and provision of training and further education opportunities for employees e.g. ETBs; Skillnet; Universities.

•Exploring opportunities to start your own business through LEO’s and Enterprise Ireland.

In the meantime, all stakeholders are conscious that the company continues to operate with a significant workforce and that job losses will happen on a phased basis whilst the site remains operational until March 2026.

Maximising regional growth is one of IDA Ireland’s strategic objectives, and in the first half of 2025, 51% of investments were into regional locations. Offaly is in the IDA's Midlands Region, which also comprises counties Laois, Longford, and Westmeath. There are 52 IDA client companies in the Midlands Region, employing 8,045 people. The FDI performance in the region has been strong over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 26%. The Midlands has a significant ecosystem of well-established companies across Life Sciences, Engineering, International Financial Services, Content, Consumer & Business Services and Technology. The region has fostered strong collaborative links with Technological University of the Shannon, Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) and additional stakeholders, for example Midlands ICT Network; Advanced Technology in Manufacturing (ATiM) Cluster; First Polymer Training Skillnet.

I should also highlight that the key objective of the IDA’s Regional Property Programme is to deliver agile, sustainable, flexible property solutions providing certainty to clients in advance of demand in regional locations that might not otherwise secure investment. This involves the direct development of Advance Building Solutions, collaboration with Local Authorities on advance planning permits, and investment in infrastructure projects across the portfolio to meet evolving business needs. IDA is also focused on acquiring new landbanks to support future projects across all key sectors and in all regions.

To these ends, the IDA’s Regional Property Programme 2025-2029, consists of 23 projects across 21 locations in 8 regions, primarily manufacturing buildings. This includes 12 new buildings delivered throughout the country as well as 11 Advance Planning Permits. This targeted forward planning is vital to provide certainty and ensure a competitive offering that meets the evolving needs of IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland clients. Specifically, the IDA will also partner with local authorities to deliver 9 Advance Planning Permits including in Tullamore.

Finally, I can reconfirm that the IDA's "Adapt Intelligently" strategy aims to secure 550 new foreign direct investment (FDI) projects outside of Dublin, which represents 55% of its total target of 1,000 new investments over the 2025-2029 period.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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439. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 386 of 30 September 2025, if he or his Department or associated State agencies have facilitated site visits for prospective new owners of a former factory (details supplied) at Carrickmacross; the efforts being made to ensure that a new employer is secured for the premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61141/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Department officials have confirmed that efforts are continuing to find a buyer for this site. Enterprise Ireland is providing ongoing support by facilitating introductions to potential buyers where appropriate. The owners of the business have also appointed an external agent that is actively seeking interest from potential purchasers of the facility.

Enterprise Ireland have advised that, while they have not facilitated visits to the site, discussions have been held with a range of interested parties with a number of the discussions progressing to expression of interest stage. Active promotion of the facility is ongoing and further expressions of interest are being sought from potential suitable parties both in Ireland and internationally. Enterprise Ireland will continue to support the promotion of the facility to potential purchasers.