Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
127. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will provide an update on the IDA’s application for planning permission for a factory on its green-field site at Creagh, Ballinasloe; the expected timeline for approval and the works to make the site investment-ready; and the further steps that are planned to attract enterprise investment once permission is secured. [30510/26]
View answerBalanced regional development is a key focus of the work of my Department and our Enterprise Development agencies. In this regard, IDA Ireland is continuing its strong commitment to promoting FDI in regional locations as part of its 2025-29 strategy, Adapt Intelligently.
IDA is targeting 550 of 1,000 investment projects over the lifetime of the strategy outside Dublin including a target of 100 investments in the West. In that regard, Ballinasloe is marketed as part of the West Region and benefits from its strategic location close to Galway City, East Galway, and Athlone.
The availability of suitable property and strategic sites is a critical component of the regional value proposition and is a key element in IDA’s marketing of the West Region. In this regard, IDA has committed to the reinstatement of an Advance Planning Permit for an Advance Building Solution in Ballinasloe in conjunction with Galway County Council as part of its current strategy. IDA continues to engage with Galway County Council in respect of the design and site location for the proposed Advance Planning Permit. The planning application is expected to be lodged in 2027 following completion of the design phase.
As the Deputy is aware, the IDA has already invested significantly in the provision of world-class property solutions in the West and completed in 2025 the construction of a new 50,000 sq. ft. Advance Building Solution in Parkmore East, Galway. And over the next five years, IDA aims to complete a building in Castlebar and will commence a further building in Galway, subject to the availability of IDA properties, and successful planning and procurement phases.
The IDA continues to collaborate with regional stakeholders and actively promotes available buildings and land in IDA Business Parks and high-quality buildings in private ownership through its network of overseas offices.
The FDI performance in the West Region has been Strong over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by over 16%. Today, there are 107 IDA client companies in County Galway employing 25,430 people, a 17% increase over the past 5 years.
Of course, my Department and our Enterprise Development Agencies also support Irish-based enterprise development in the regions including through Enterprise Ireland, the LEOs and our Tourism investment supports. There are an additional 9,679 people employed in Enterprise Ireland supported companies in Galway.
