Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 July 2024
279. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide details of the value of grants made by the IDA to a business (details supplied) in 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29444/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, Becton Dickinson advised last week that following an analysis of its network and forecast market demand, BD UK & Ireland had made the difficult decision to discontinue production at its site in Drogheda over the next two and a half years. This decision will result in the closure of the BD Drogheda site by the end of Q4 of 2026, which will regrettably impact the 170 people currently employed at this plant. In this regard, Government's primary concern is for those staff and their families impacted by this decision and our Agencies will work to support the workers affected in the period ahead as they pursue alternative employment, and the IDA will work to market the site to potential new employers in cooperation with BD.
IDA Ireland supports opportunities for sustainable growth amongst its client base through a focus on transformative investments in RD&I, digitalisation, training, and actions on sustainability to increase the competitiveness and productivity of Irish operations and their workforce.
IDA Ireland is deeply engaged with Becton Dickinson & Co Limited (BD) across the company's four sites in Ireland and at HQ in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. Over the past 4 years (2021-2024) IDA Ireland's Medical Technologies team and the IDA New York office have been actively working with BD and its Drogheda site with support from IDA's Regional Development, Strategic Property , Green Economy and Talent, Transformation and Innovation teams on the company's growth, transformation, talent & skills, research, and innovation agenda.
In terms of financial grant support, Becton Dickinson & Co Limited located in Drogheda received Training Grants of €807,801 in 2023 but no supports in either 2021 or 2022 and data on grant payments for 2024 is not yet available.
Importantly, IDA Ireland continues to engage with BD Corporate, BD UK & Ireland and BD in Drogheda on available supports to the company and will work with the company on the wind-down of its operations in Drogheda over the next 2.5 years, in particular, with a view to collaborating on securing a successor enterprise to locate on the site.
