Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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9. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on progress in acquiring an IDA Ireland purpose-built facility in Longford town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30008/24]

Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Will the Minister provide an update on IDA Ireland's plans for an advance building solution facility for Longford town. At present, the town boasts in excess of 2,000 FDI-supported jobs thanks to Technimark, Avery Dennison and Abbott. Abbott is due to start work on an expansion at its plant and Avery Dennison has applied for planning permission. I have repeatedly asked this question in the lifetime of this Government so can the Minister provide me with an assurance as to IDA Ireland's commitment to an advance building solution project for Longford town.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Flaherty for his important question and the work he is doing in this regard. IDA Ireland’s regional property programme ensures the continued supply of land, buildings and infrastructure in regional locations to meet the needs of current and prospective clients of IDA Ireland, as well as Enterprise Ireland and the local enterprise offices. Indeed, the availability of property and infrastructure solutions to meet the needs of multinational companies remains essential to winning foreign direct investment.

In this regard, IDA Ireland has committed to build an advance building solution in Longford to support the winning of new investments and job creation. To this end, IDA Ireland continues to liaise with Longford County Council, as well as wider stakeholders, to seek a suitable site and the site identification process remains commercially sensitive until a land acquisition has been concluded. In addition, the specific dates for commencement of construction are wholly dependent on the many factors impacting on timelines for the delivery of any construction project. However, I can assure the Deputy that IDA Ireland is using its best endeavours to deliver the building in Longford in a timely manner having regard to the normal market dynamics.

Deputy Flaherty quite rightly points out so many good companies in the midlands region, particularly in Longford, that are doing particularly well. I can assure the Deputy I am giving this very high priority that they get a site secured in Longford. It is commercially sensitive because the State has to be careful when it is purchasing land in the region. I assure the Deputy that, working with him, we will deliver that site. Hopefully, we will have an announcement shortly in respect of it.

There are approximately 1,800 people employed in Longford through IDA Ireland-backed companies which is very important to the region. There are 51 IDA Ireland clients in the midlands providing approximately 8,000 jobs. They are very valued. We need high-quality jobs like those.

I was privileged to open the extension to Avery Dennison in 2018. That is a very important employer, as well as Abbott and Technimark, which has seen significant investment over the recent months as well.

Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for his commitment to this project. He is working hard on it. I appreciate that there are commercial sensitivities involved. Discussions are at an advanced stage in relation to the acquisition of a site for the new facility. Will the Minister, as he has to date, to take a personal interest in it. This is a key project for Longford town. It is critical for the future development of the town.

We have seen the success that Abbott, Avery Dennison and Technimark have brought to the town. They have transformed the Ballinalee Road of Longford town. Certainly, the acquisition of a further IDA Ireland site and the development of that site as an advance building solution would be a significant step forward for Longford town.

I ask the Minister to redouble his efforts and re-engage with IDA Ireland. It is commercially sensitive but I understand discussions are at an advanced stage. I appeal to the Minister to redouble efforts and try and get this over the line before the end of the lifetime of this Dáil.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I will do that. I spoke with the chief executive of IDA Ireland in connection with how important it is to progress investment in the midlands and in Longford town. The Deputy quite rightly points out the significant offering in Longford. The infrastructure is improving. One can see the N4, now obviously the preferred route, coming to the fore. It is an important artery of connectivity into the west and the north west. It is also for Longford town and for those employers that continue to have operations there.

We will absolutely do our very best, working with the Deputy, to ensure that comes to pass and in the context of continuing the strong investment of very good companies in Longford, improving the infrastructure and all the other important things outlined in our capital plan in order that Longford will continue to be a strong location for FDI and will continue offer high-quality jobs to people in the region.

Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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As the Minister rightly says, FDI has been transformative for the midlands and very much for County Longford.

Abbott has evolved. Initially, it started out with 600 jobs. It has now in excess of 1,300 people in employment. Avery Dennison - the Minister pointed out that he opened the plant in 2018 - is enjoying a meteoric rise. The company's stated intention is that it wants to be the next Abbott in Longford. We really need to get the fourth FDI facility into Longford town. That is why I am pushing hard, in the twilight of this Government, to get this over the line. The Minister has been absolutely committed and focused on it, as, indeed, his ministerial colleagues here in the front row have been. This is a key ask on the part of the people of Longford. Before the curtain comes down on this Government's term of office, I hope we can deliver for them.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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On this issue, I call Deputy Murnane O'Connor.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I will take the opportunity to contribute in view of the fact that the Minister and Minister of State are present. It is important that everybody works together.

I want to speak about the IDA Ireland park in Carlow. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in the country but, unfortunately, there are no tenants in it yet. I have been working with the chamber of commerce and Carlow County Council and I know how hard we are all working to promote the park. Carlow - I can only say this again - is an excellent place to live. We are so near the airport. We are so near Dublin. Our location is excellent.

I seeking an update on tenants for the IDA Ireland park in Carlow. It is located on the Dublin road and is, as I said, the most beautiful building. I am just wondering if there is a timescale and what can be done.

It is so important now. There is not a day goes by that my office is not contacted by people wanting to know when the park is going to be opened and what tenants will go into it. We are constructing these excellent buildings, but we need to fill them.

Carlow has so much to offer. We are different from Deputy Flaherty's constituency. We have our beautiful IDA Ireland park. I would really like an update.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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We have gone from Longford to Carlow.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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For Deputy Flaherty's information, we will continue to work hard on that. It is in the capital plan. Hopefully, we will have a strong budget for business. We are working hard with our bilateral discussions with both Ministers to ensure that we have a strong business budget and, obviously, IDA Ireland will be central to that.

In response to Deputy Murnane O'Connor, I will endeavour to get an update specifically in relation to Carlow. The figures relating to IDA Ireland are exceptionally strong. Its current strategy contains a target of 50,000 jobs. The actual number is in excess of 70,000. Critically, as I stated earlier, one third of its investments are new-name investments, which is very exciting for the country, and two thirds are repeat business, which shows the confidence that companies have in the Irish economy, in the value offering that we have and in the skills of our workforce. The latter is the primary issue here. We have such a good and high-skilled workforce. Some 8% of graduates here go to the ICT sector, which underwrites the growth in that area. We are the second largest exporter of ICT worldwide. We are doing huge work in that area. We will continue to do that and to work for all counties.