Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2026
1058. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide an update on the plans for development by the IDA on lands a locations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58310/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraRegional 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 is continuing its strong commitment to regional development as one of four key strategic objectives of its 2025–2029 strategy, "Adapt Intelligently". This ambitious strategy aims to secure 550 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects outside Dublin, accounting for 55% of the 1,000 investments targeted over that period.
IDA Ireland utilises a range of strategies to maximise dispersal of FDI nationally. IDA’s regional focus leverages the wider demographic catchment of a region, the track record of existing client companies already located in the region, the presence of third-level universities to provide a skilled talent pipeline for companies investing in the region, and the availability of property and developed infrastructure assets. IDA’s regional development strategy and regional investment targets are aligned with Government policy, including Ireland 2040 and the National Planning Framework.
In that regard, Louth is marketed as part of the Mid-East Region. There are 126 IDA client companies in the region, comprised of counties Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow, employing 20,284 people of which 37 are located in County Louth employing 10,258 people. The FDI performance in the region has been consistent over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 5% and the Mid-East has a significant ecosystem of well-established companies across Technology, Life Sciences, International Financial Services and Engineering & Industrial Technologies. It has also won significant investment in the Food and the Film sub-sectors.
As the Deputy is aware, the availability of suitable property and strategic sites is a critical component of the regional value proposition and can be the key differentiator in investment decisions in the regions from both new and existing clients as well as clients of Enterprise Ireland and the LEOs. Through its Regional Property Programme, IDA aims to provide agile, sustainable, flexible property solutions, providing certainty to clients in advance of demand.
During the last strategy 2021 - 2025, IDA Ireland acquired two landbanks in Co Louth. These land acquisitions, with a combined total of c. 157 acres are situated in Drogheda and in Dundalk and form part of IDA’s long term strategic plan to position Louth and the wider region to compete for FDI investment. IDA has also delivered an Advanced Office Solution on IDA’s Finnabair Business Park and an Advanced Building Solution at IDA’s Mullagharlin Science & Technology Park in Dundalk. The agency also plans to commence the delivery of an Advanced Building Solution in Drogheda as part of the current strategy.
The IDA land bank at Killally, Dundalk is part of a strategic acquisition for IDA as a long-term property solution to support future FDI and EI investment wins. IDA is currently reviewing its overall strategy for development of these lands in line with potential longer-term requirements for FDI to ensure maximum flexibility in the development of the land bank, aligned to this and future strategies.
This will likely be a phased development of the site, including the delivery of advance infrastructure required to bring the lands forward for future enterprise development. All elements of this process will be subject to public procurement requirements and the securing of the necessary statutory planning permissions.
IDA Ireland continues to collaborate closely with national and local stakeholders to foster the conditions necessary for enterprise, innovation, and job creation in the region.
As Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, I can assure you that I am committed to driving a competitive, resilient and sustainable economy that supports enterprise, tourism and employment across all of Ireland’s regions.
