Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2026
43. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment for an update on the measures taken thus far to secure a tenant or tenants for the fully completed, advanced technology building on the Dublin Road in Carlow town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13258/26]
View answerRegional development is a key focus of our Programme for Government and is central to the work of my Department and our enterprise development agencies. In this regard, IDA Ireland’s 'Adapt Intelligently' strategy, 2025-29, seeks to build on the agency's successes to date and to support continued long-term investment through the transformation of the existing client base across Ireland and leveraging new opportunities and sectors. A key component of the strategy is the continued and ambitious focus on maximising regional investment opportunities for all regions including the South-East region in the years ahead, including through the delivery of agile, sustainable, flexible property solutions providing certainty to IDA and Enterprise Ireland clients in advance of demand.
The FDI performance in the South-East region has been consistent 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, Engineering & Industrial Technologies. To support the South-East region. IDA Ireland operates an office in the city of Waterford, working closely with local stakeholders, including City and County Councils, to attract new investment across the region which includes Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford. Currently, there are 4 IDA client-companies operating in Carlow employing over 1,400 employees. In addition, of course, Enterprise Ireland and the LEOs also support employment opportunities in the county.
IDA Ireland’s continued positive intervention in terms of delivering and maintaining a portfolio of advanced property solutions to support such investments on a regional basis is paramount. In that regard, a ready supply of appropriately zoned land for development supports IDA in fulfilling its remit and continued success in attracting investments from FDI and Enterprise Ireland clients to the regions. IDA Ireland also works closely with the private sector in the South-East region in marketing of appropriate and cost-effective property solutions that meet the needs of their client companies.
As regards the specific building identified by the Deputy, the Advanced Business Solution on the IDA Carlow Business Park is actively being marketed to companies, aimed at securing new investment, and IDA has confirmed that numerous enquires have been made about the Carlow building and several visits to the building have taken place.
Site visits to Carlow since 2021 are as follows:
• 2021 - 4
• 2022 - 3
• 2023 - 5
• 2024 - 6
• 2025 (to end-Q3) - 4 (full year data is being finalised)
I should highlight, however, that site visits are only one measure of a company’s interest in a particular location and may not necessarily be a true measure of the overall level of FDI activity in a region or county. For example, almost 70% of FDI won by IDA Ireland comes from its existing client base, rather than new companies and potential clients usually visit more than one county and may return to a location more than once. Moreover, I must emphasise the final decision on where to locate any investment in Ireland rests with the company concerned.
IDA Ireland has invested significantly in the provision of world-class property solutions in the South-East including the completion of Advanced Building Solutions in Carlow and Waterford. Over the next five years, IDA Ireland aims to complete the construction of a 4th Advanced Building Solution in Waterford and IDA Ireland is currently working with Wexford and Kilkenny County Councils with a view to seeking advance planning permissions for Advanced Building Solutions in both locations. IDA Ireland continues to position the South-East region as a competitive and attractive destination for global investors.
