Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2016
116. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the construction status of the new advanced IDA Ireland facility in Sligo, including the completion date, the capacity of the new building and the specific marketing measures which will be taken to promote this facility as a location for investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4835/16]
View answerAs part of the Regional Action Plan for Jobs 2015, IDA Ireland is set to invest €150 million over five years in property solutions designed to allow it to create opportunities to win additional projects for all regions. As part of this programme of investment, IDA Ireland is building nine advance facilities around the country, in particular in locations where the private sector has been slow to build. This includes the delivery of an advance facility in Sligo. This is a positive development for attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into regional locations. It will provide access to modern property solutions which, when combined with a strong local talent pool and existing FDI cluster, will give these locations an enhanced proposition to offer international investors.
The Advance Technology Building in Sligo is a c. 2,900 square metre unit, which is designed with sustainable Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accreditation. Planning permission has been granted and, after a full public procurement process, the contractor was appointed for the development of the project in January 2016. Work has already begun and the practical completion is targeted for December 2016.
The Agency will market the facility, along with the North West region, to relevant FDI opportunities, enquiries and potential investors through the IDA Ireland network.
