Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 November 2014
126. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the new IDA Ireland advanced technology building in Athlone, County Westmeath is on target for completion in November 2014. [44310/14]
View answerAs part of the Action Plan for Jobs 2014, we are bringing a particular focus to regional job creation and are delivering a range of measures to support this goal.
I announced in April that IDA Ireland had agreed contracts for the delivery of two advanced technology buildings in Athlone and Waterford, which will be suitable for future IDA client investment across the full spectrum of manufacturing and technology activities. Both buildings are on track to be completed before year end.
The Athlone building is located in the IDA Garrycastle Business and Technology Park, on the Dublin Road. The development has been designed to a high standard and consists of an advanced technology building of approximately 2,674m2, part two storey and part double height single storey, with associated infrastructure.
The building layout has taken account of the requirement of potential end users for flexibility by creating front of house open plan offices areas with the potential for subdivision. The rear open plan production area offers flexibility for large scale open plan of again the potential to subdivide or introduce cellular spaces. The building is of high quality environmental design which will achieve the globally recognised U.S.G.B.C. LEED “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” silver standard. Employment across the two projects is in the region of 160 to 180 over the construction cycle.
The Agency has assured me that they are actively promoting and marketing the facility to overseas clients wishing to invest in Athlone as the building will provide an enhanced platform to attract FDI to the Midlands Region.
