Vol. 559 No. 1
147 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total acreage of land available for industrial development in County Kildare in the ownership of the IDA; the plans her Department has to sell or develop such lands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25897/02]
IDA Ireland owns a total of 22.37 hectares – 55 acres – between Naas, Newbridge, Athy, Castledermot, Monasterevin and Kildare, available for industrial development. The management of the industrial property portfolio is a statutory function of IDA Ireland, and not one in which I have a direct function.
I understand the IDA is currently marketing the business park at Newbridge for potential foreign direct investment. Three units on the park are occupied at present.
IDA Ireland has commenced discussions with the local authority re possible sale of land at Athy, Monasterevin, Castledermot and Kildare.
148 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of itineraries organised by her Department that have visited Athy, County Kildare, in the past year in regard to possible industrial investment in the town; the number of queries that her Department has processed in relation to a factory (details supplied) which has been vacant for a number of years in the town; the prospects of obtaining a tenant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25898/02]
Over the past year, two itineraries have visited Athy, both within the past three months. This is in line with levels of visits by potential foreign investors to Ireland generally over the past year. Both companies are at the preliminary stages in their assessment of locations.
The management of the industrial property portfolio is a statutory function of IDA Ireland, and not one in which I or my Department have a direct function.
Athy continues to be a priority location for IDA in the east region, and has the only IDA assisted advance factory available in the region, which is being actively marketed for foreign direct investment purposes. In addition, IDA Ireland continues to actively support work at local level to develop Athy, including the work of the Athy forum.
