Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 May 2025
75. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs in IDA-supported companies in Kilkenny at the end of March 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21404/25]
View answerThere are 1,460 people currently employed in Kilkenny across 14 IDA supported companies. Recent announcements include the official opening in March 2024 of State Street’s International (Ireland) new 65,000 square foot office buildings in the IDA Business and Technology Park in Kilkenny. Also, in September 2024, UKG established a new global operation in Kilkenny with an announcement of 200 jobs.
The South-East Region comprises counties Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow and Wexford. There are 85 IDA client companies in the South-East Region, employing 15,580 people. The FDI performance in the region has been positive over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 15%. The South-East has a significant ecosystem of well-established companies across Technology, Life Sciences, International Financial Services and Engineering & Industrial Technologies which are complemented by research centres that help win new business and assist existing client companies with transformation.
The availability of property and infrastructure solutions can be the key differentiator in winning Foreign Direct Investment projects as well as investment by Irish-owned companies. In its new Strategy, the IDA’s Regional Building Programme 2025+ will consist of 23 projects across 21 locations in 8 regions, primarily manufacturing buildings. IDA will also partner with local authorities to deliver 9 Advance Planning Permits, including in Kilkenny. IDA will also continue its land acquisition strategy and infrastructure provision to support clients.
