Written Answers Nos. 41-60
42. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the level of additional resources provided to the Health and Safety Authority to ensure clean air in the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45105/22]
View answerIn Budget 2021, the Government provided an additional pay budget of €4.2million to the Health and Safety Authority. On foot of this additional funding, sanction has been given to the Health and Safety Authority to increase its human resources to a total of 317 roles across administrative, professional and technical grades.
As the organisation expands, an extensive programme of recruitment and on-boarding has been executed, with a two phased programme over 24 months, which remains ongoing. The Health and Safety Authority will continue to focus on high-risk sectors and hazards which cause fatalities, incidents, injuries and ill health.
The establishment of a new Occupational Health Division was central for the Authority receiving an additional budget for resources to manage the current and future increasing demands on occupational health requirements. As an example of work in this area, this new division has responsibility for developing the new Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality.
43. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has assessed the position of the sectors most-exposed to the surge in energy costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45049/22]
View answerThe Government is very aware of the economic challenge of escalating energy prices and has put in place measures to assist enterprise. I and my Department are working with Minister Ryan, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, and across Government, to manage our response to the energy situation as it develops.
The Wholesale Price Index for energy products purchased by the manufacturing industry rose by almost 78 per cent in the year to July 2022, and this spike is becoming apparent in the costs of energy intensive businesses. This is not unique to Ireland, and is facing all major economies around the world.
My Department continues to ensure an enterprise perspective is considered in our national response to price and supply issues in energy markets, and has been involved in the coordination of the response with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications through the Energy Security Emergency Group and its related sub-groups.
In June 2022, my Department undertook an analysis of sectoral energy consumption and each sector’s mix of energy types. A threshold of over 40 per cent of a sector’s energy use from a single energy type was used to identify sectors with an ‘intense use’.
Sectors with a high exposure to oil as a part of their energy mix, include: Agriculture; Construction; Non-Energy Mining; Textiles and Textile Products; Manufacturing of non-metallic products; and Transport equipment manufacture.
Sectors which use gas to meet over 40 per cent of their energy requirements include: Basic metals and fabricated products; Chemicals and man-made fibers; Food and beverages; and Health, Residential and Social Care Activities. While these sectors demonstrate the highest use of gas as share of their energy mix, the majority of sub-sectors across both industry and services sectors use gas to meet between 20% and 40% of their energy needs.
Exposure to electricity price increases is more broad-based across all economic sectors. As wholesale gas prices drive changes in electricity costs to a significant degree, there is a wider range of sectors with an indirect exposure to changes in gas prices.
My Department continues to engage with other Departments and Agencies to identify the scale and impact of energy price increases on firms.
44. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on foreign direct investment in Ireland in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44480/22]
View answerIDA Ireland published their mid-year results in July and despite the challenging global environment, the results demonstrated significant foreign direct investment for the first half of 2022. In the first half of this year, we have seen investment levels exceed 2021 mid-year results by 9% and 2019 mid-year results by 10%, meaning we have exceeded pre-pandemic levels of FDI. Ireland won 155 investments up to the end of the second quarter this year. Notably, 73 of these were new name investments and 73 were went to regional locations. These investments have an associated employment potential of over 18,000 jobs.
These are remarkable results considering the global challenges we have been and are currently faced with. These results, won within such an uncertain and challenging period, really demonstrate the attractiveness of our value proposition for FDI, in addition to our strong and ongoing reputation as a competitive, stable and resilient place to do business.
However, we can never take our success in attracting and maintaining FDI for granted. With rising energy costs, climate change, inflation, Russia’s war against Ukraine and increased international competition for FDI, we must continue our efforts to maintain Ireland’s attractiveness as a location for investment and as a great place to do business. My Department is currently reviewing our enterprise policy and exploring several high-level policy questions to ensure that Ireland’s economy remains attractive to enterprise and that we maintain our competitive value proposition.
45. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures that are being examined by his Department to support businesses whose employees choose to work beyond the age of retirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45146/22]
View answerThere is no statutory retirement age for employees in Irish legislation, apart from for certain public sector employees where statutory retirement ages may apply. A contract of employment will generally contain a retirement age, but this is a matter of contract between the parties.
Arising from a recommendation of the 2016 Report of the Interdepartmental Group on Fuller Working Lives, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) published a Code of Practice around the issue of longer working, setting out best industrial relations practice in managing the engagement between employers and employees in the run up to retirement age in the employment concerned. The main purpose of this Code is to set out, for the guidance of employers, employees and their representatives, best principles, and practices to follow during the engagement between employers and employees in the run up to retirement including responding to requests to work beyond the retirement age in the employment concerned.
In preparing this Code of Practice, the WRC consulted with the Irish Business and Employers Confederation, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, and relevant Government Departments.
The Code sets out best practice over the following headings:
- Utilising the skills and experience of older workers.
- Objective justification of retirement.
- Standard retirement arrangements.
- Requests to work longer.
The 2020 Programme for Government, ‘Our Shared Future’ provided for the establishment of a Commission on Pensions: “to examine sustainability and eligibility issues with State Pensions and the Social Insurance Fund. The Commission was also asked in its Terms of Reference to consider the issue of retirement ages in private employment contracts that are set below the State Pension age.
The Pensions Commission’s Report was published on 7th October 2021. A whole of Government response is required in order to respond to the recommendations of the Pensions Commission. My Department is considering the Commission's recommendations in relation to mandatory retirement ages in certain contracts of employment.
Employment equality must be a core consideration in reforms to address retirement clauses, and the needs of both employees and employers will require consideration and further consultation. In this regard, it will be necessary to liaise closely with employer groups as any changes in this area have potential to have a significant impact on workforce planning, particularly for SMEs.
46. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the recent employment figures for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44786/22]
View answerWhen we launched the Economic Recovery Plan last year, we set a goal of achieving 2.5 million people in employment by 2024. According to the latest available national employment figures, from the Central Statistics Office’s Labour Force Survey, employment levels reached 2.55 million in Q2 2022. We now have more people employed in our country than ever before, while the quarterly unemployment rate stands at 4.4% - levels not seen since 2005.
These results are a testament to the hard work and resilience of the Irish people and enterprise. It is especially welcome to see a strong bounce back in employment in the Accommodation and Food Service sector, with employment in this sector increasing by 40% in the past 12 months. The impact of the pandemic was not equal across sectors, and those in the Hospitality sector were significantly affected. Our strong policy interventions during the pandemic – rapidly rolling out the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme and Pandemic Unemployment Payment – appear to have minimised any long-term labour market scarring in the sector.
Much of the recent increase in employment has been driven by record levels of female labour market participation. In Q2 2021, employment levels for women reached record levels, and since then a further 108,500 women have found employment. As well as continued funding increases for early learning and childcare, interventions through Making Remote Work, our national Remote Work Strategy and Pathways to Work 2021-2025, have assisted in addressing obstacles to labour market inclusion for women.
As we approach full employment, one challenge for businesses will be recruiting talent with the right skills – this is particularly important in the context of the dual green and digital transitions. The Government continues to provide thousands of additional re-skilling and upskilling opportunities, as set out in the Economic Recovery Plan, while my Department operates an employment permit system which is highly responsive to areas of identified skills needs and labour shortages across the economy.
I recognise that these employment figures do not tell the lived experience for some, and many people are struggling and worried about the future. My Department have been making huge improvements to workers’ rights this year, including introducing mandatory sick pay, auto-enrolment for pensions, the right to request remote working to make sure work pays.
47. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on his Department’s engagement with the European Commission in relation to shortcomings identified by the Commission in Ireland’s enforcement of workers’ rights under the Directive on European Works Councils; the action that he intends to take in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45108/22]
View answerA European Works Council (a “EWC”) is a body that facilitates information and consultation with European employees on transnational issues. EWCs are subject to the law of the Member State in which they are located. They derive from Directive 1994/45/EC (the “EWC Directive”) as transposed into Irish law by the Transnational Information and Consultation of Employees Act 1996.
A recast by Directive 2009/38/EC was given effect by European Communities (Transnational Information and Consultation of Employees Act 1996) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 380 of 2011). The purpose of the recast Directive is to improve the right to information and to consultation of employees in Community-scale undertakings and Community-scale groups of undertakings.
In September 2021, my Department replied to queries raised by the European Commission in relation to a complaint it had received regarding the EWC Directive and how it is transposed and given effect in Irish national law. Subsequently, on 19 May 2022, the Commission wrote to the Irish Government with a letter of formal notice raising concerns with regard to the transposition of the Directive.
Having consulted with the Attorney General’s Office, my Department responded to the Commission on the 19 July 2022. My Department is satisfied that the Transnational Information and Consultation of Employees Act, 1996 as amended fully and correctly transposes Directive 2009/38/EC into national law. However, should any further queries be identified, they will be addressed in due course.
My officials propose to meet with the Commission in late September.
48. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the engagement that his Department has had with a business (details supplied) following its closure to ensure that jobs can be replaced and employment can continue in the rural community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45163/22]
View answerI understand that no job losses and/or redundancies are expected at this time due to the closure of part of this company's business. My Department officials have been in contact with Enterprise Ireland which has confirmed that approximately half of the jobs will be transferring to another company.
Redeployment opportunities for remaining employees are also being made available across the full spectrum of the remaining business.
Enterprise Ireland are continuing to work with the company to discuss what assistance can be made available and what initiatives would be most appropriate for the company in the future.
50. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the implementation of a living wage. [45086/22]
View answer66. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures that he has taken to implement the 2022 Low Pay Commission Report on progressing to a living wage; if a commitment will be given to implement the recommendation of a living wage target of 60% of the median wage of all workers; and his Department’s target date for achieving same. [45191/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 66 together.
The Programme for Government contains the commitment to “progress to a living wage over the lifetime of the Government”.
In January 2021, I requested the Low Pay Commission to report on how best the Government could progress to a living wage. Following commissioned research from Maynooth University and engagement with unions and representative groups, the Commission submitted its Living Wage Report in March of this year which included 18 recommendations.
In their recommendations, the Low Pay Commission proposed adopting a fixed threshold approach for the calculation of a living wage, as opposed to a Minimum Essential Standard of Living or “basket of goods” approach, and setting the fixed threshold at 60% of the median wage in the economy. The Commission also recommended that after the 60% target has been reached, subject to an assessment of the impact of this, the Commission should then assess the economic practicality of gradually increasing the targeted threshold rate towards 66% of the median wage.
In June of this year, I outlined a proposal to introduce a living wage for all employees. A public consultation was then launched seeking submissions from the public on the Low Pay Commission’s recommendations and on a ‘strawman proposal’ which provided an illustrative example of how a living wage might be phased in over a 4-year timeframe. The public consultation closed in August. It received 46 submissions which are now being reviewed and analysed.
An interdepartmental working group has also been formed to address the issues arising from the Low Pay Commission’s recommendations in order to assist with the progression to a living wage. The deliberations of this group, along with the consultation results, will inform a Government decision in the near future on the adoption of a living wage over a specified number of years.
While the living wage initiative is being considered, the Government will continue to be guided by the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission with regard to any future changes in the National Minimum Wage. Yesterday, I announced that the National Minimum Wage would increase by 80 cent from €10.50 per hour to €11.30 per hour with effect from the 1st January 2023. This is based on the recommendation of the Low Pay Commission.
51. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the up-to-date position regarding the provision of an advance technology building at Kerry Technology Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45001/22]
View answer2021 was a record-breaking year for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) employment, with total employment in IDA client companies now standing at 275,384, up over 17,000 on 2020. Growth outside of Dublin was particularly buoyant with 53% or 133 projects of the 249 investments won going to regional locations and employment growth was recorded in every region of the country.
The IDA’s property investment in the regions is aimed at supporting economic development and job creation across IDA’s, Enterprise Ireland and local LEO’s respective client base. It is crucial that the South-West region has a competitive, sustainable property offering to enable the attraction and retention of investment and jobs.
IDA Ireland is committed to building a new (second) Advanced Technology Building in Tralee. In July last, IDA Ireland announced that it has signed Heads of Terms with Shannon Commercial Enterprises DAC to progress with the acquisition of the remaining lands at Kerry Technology Park, Tralee. Progress on this IDA land acquisition is ongoing.
This significant investment by IDA Ireland in the South-West Region aims to future-proof the property offering in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the region and to Kerry in particular.
IDA Ireland is proposing to identify a site within the land bank to accommodate the construction of an Advance Building Solution as announced as part of the IDA Strategy Driving Recovery & Sustainable Growth 2021 – 2024.
Securing planning permission and the construction of the building will take time, but it is intended that the building will be delivered during the life of the current IDA Strategy. The advanced technology building once completed may support either a new office or industrial investment given their flexible nature.
The Strategy also states that IDA will continue to work closely with the private sector to secure the provision of appropriate and cost-effective building and property solutions for client companies and that additional upgrade works, and investment are planned for IDA Parks in the region.
IDA Ireland continues to engage with new companies on promoting Ireland as a location for their business and the Agency will continue to position County Kerry for virtual and in-person site visits to prospective companies throughout 2022 and beyond.
52. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on the Security Industry Employment Regulation Order 2022. [45169/22]
View answerOn 3 August 2022, I announced my intention to issue an Order to give effect to a statutory recommendation of the Labour Court concerning minimum rates of remuneration and other terms and conditions in the Security Sector.The Order was to apply from 29 August 2022.
On 24 August 2022 my Department was informed that High Court had granted an Injunction prohibiting the commencement of the proposed Statutory Instrument giving effect to the new Employment Regulation Order for the Security Industry.My officials are in the process of seeking legal advice on the matter.
53. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the engagement that he has had with energy providers and representative groups of small businesses in relation to the increased cost of energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45075/22]
View answerOfficials from my Department, Ministers of State and I engage with the business community almost on a daily basis. The cost of doing business and in particular the impact of rising energy costs on businesses have featured very prominently in recent weeks.
My Department is taking a leading role in the Government response to this, working closely with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, who coordinate the whole of Government response via the Energy Supply Emergency Group on which my Department is represented. In particular, my Department convenes the Business Energy Users Sub-group which was set up to assess the impacts of rising energy costs on businesses and to help inform the Government response. This includes business representative groups, as well as officials from my Department and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, Enterprise Ireland, and IDA Ireland. The group has met on three occasions to date and most recently met on the 8th of September to update members on the response so far and hear views of members.
Other fora where the cost of doing business and energy costs in particular have been discussed with the business community include:
the Labour Employer Economic Forum on the 7th of September which I attended along with the Taoiseach;
the SME and State Bodies Group on the 13th of July which I chaired with the Minister for Finance;
the Enterprise Forum which I chaired on the 29th of June;
the Retail Forum chaired by Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English on the 8th of June; and
the Hospitality and Tourism Forum chaired by myself and Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD on the 12th of September.
This engagement with the business community will continue to inform the Government’s response to these important issues.
55. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the Government will support the trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights waiver proposal at the World Trade Organisation ministerial conference [30804/22]
View answer69. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will support a trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights waiver to end global Covid-19 vaccine inequity given that the majority of the Irish public, Seanad Éireann, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the World Health Organisation have called for a TRIPS waiver for Covid-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics; and if the Government will advocate today at the World Trade Organisation Ministerial conference for the European Union to support the TRIPS waiver. [30787/22]
View answer76. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 6 of 19 May 2022, if he will report on his engagement at European Union and World Trade Organisation levels with regard to the waiving of intellectual property rights in respect of Covid-19 vaccines; if he is satisfied that the recent agreement at World Trade Organisation-level adequately addresses global inequality in access to Covid-19 medication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45157/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 55, 69 and 76 together.
Universal and equitable access to safe, effective and affordable vaccines is crucial in the global fight against COVID-19.
The WTO Ministerial Conference concluded on 17 June with Ministers agreeing an outcome in relation to the production and supply of Covid-19 vaccines. The ‘Ministerial Decision on the TRIPS Agreement’ provides for a waiver of certain obligations of the TRIPS Agreement and includes a number of clarifications that will allow eligible WTO Members to authorise a company to manufacture and export COVID-19 vaccines in a fast and simplified manner and without the consent of the patent owner, for example by an executive order or emergency decree.
Moreover, the Ministerial Decision clarifies that the remuneration payable to patent owners must take account of the humanitarian or not-for-profit purpose of production, thereby supporting the production and supply of COVID-19 vaccines at affordable prices to those in need.
Fundamentally, the waiver will simplify to the maximum, the process to export vaccines and their ingredients to other developing countries and enable countries in a continent like Africa to scale up their production capacity and supply vaccines to other countries. It will also support the establishment of manufacturing hubs that rely on supply chains in multiple countries.
This outcome will allow developing countries to benefit from the innovation that the system sustains, in an environment that incentivises investments, research and transfer of technology, that the international community should make to boost capacity and diversification in the production of vaccines, and pharmaceutical products more broadly, throughout the world.
While the Ministerial Decision is applicable to the production and export of COVID-19 vaccines, WTO Members are expected to decide, no later than December 2022, on whether to extend the waiver to cover the production and supply of COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics. Ireland will continue to fully engage constructively with the European Commission and other Member States on the EU position regarding this matter.
To date, over 1.7 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been delivered via the COVAX facility to 146 countries and territories .
Ireland has committed to donating up to 5 million doses largely via COVAX. Over 2 million doses have already been delivered to recipient countries including to Uganda, Nigeria, Indonesia, Ghana and Burkina Faso and Sudan. In addition, Ireland has also committed €13.5mn in financing to the COVAX facility to facilitate the purchase of vaccines by low and lower middle-income countries and to cover the transport and insurance costs associated with donations.
56. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports that have been offered through his Department to provide direct assistance to a factory (details supplied) in order to try to offset further redundancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45054/22]
View answerI extend my sympathies to all employees of the company who have been impacted by these developments and I know this news is very concerning for all involved.
Enterprise Ireland has been working with the company throughout this difficult period. That engagement has intensified and I have asked EI to keep me informed of developments having raised the matter at the most senior levels.
Our Agencies will continue to work in a coordinated way to support anyone who has lost their job with welfare entitlements, job-search assistance and upskilling opportunities available to all impacted workers as they assess their options.
In that regard, Enterprise Ireland will continue to work closely with the company to discuss other options available to the company including the availability of funding through any approved Scheme under the EU's temporary crisis framework to assist companies facing liquidity and rising energy-cost challenges which my officials are currently developing.
58. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures that have been taken to help businesses deal with the cost of energy; the further measures that will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44997/22]
View answerI'm very aware of the difficulties businesses have faced over the past number of years with the necessary COVID-19 restrictions and now with the increased cost of living and in particular energy costs.
The Government has already implemented measures to help ease the impact on enterprises of rising energy costs, including a temporary reduction in the excise duties charged, by 20 cent per litre of petrol, 15 cent per litre of diesel, and 2 cent in the excise duty charged on marked gas oil.
There are over 20 other government grants, vouchers and training available to help enterprises reduce their energy bills by reducing their use and becoming more energy efficient. Details of these are available on gov.ie. But we need to do more. We need a mix of broad based measures that will help all business and we also need targeted interventions for those most impacted.
The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and his Department are involved in the EU negotiations on energy and we are expecting to see a full set of measures to support enterprise. My Department is also working with the European Commission to allow us to grant state aid to certain businesses to help them with additional costs (both liquidity and energy costs) due to the Russian war on Ukraine.
The Government is fully committed to helping business particularly over coming months but also into next year as energy prices escalate and the cost of living increases. This will be central to our budget discussions and new measures will be announced on Budget Day. My officials are working with officials in the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform, Finance and Environment, Climate and Communications and other relevant departments to develop proposals to assist all business. A priority is to deliver that assistance as effectively and efficiently as possible.
59. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline the progress that the IDA and Mayo County Council are making on the delivery of an advance building solution for Castlebar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45178/22]
View answer2021 was a record-breaking year for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) employment, with total employment in IDA client companies now standing at 275,384, up over 29,000 on 2020. Growth outside of Dublin was particularly buoyant with 53%, that is 133 projects of the 249 investments won going to regional locations and employment growth was recorded in every region of the country.
IDA Ireland’s Regional Property Programme is aimed at supporting economic development and job creation across IDA’s, Enterprise Ireland and local LEO’s respective client base. The RPP has enabled the winning of capital-intensive projects of significant scale to regional locations over the past 5 years. It is crucial that the region has a competitive, sustainable property offering to enable the attraction and retention of investment and jobs.
IDA Ireland have publicly committed to build a second Advanced Building Solution in Castlebar under their new strategy, “Driving Recovery & Sustainable Growth 2021-2024 ”, to support the winning of new investment and job creation.
The site selection process for the new building is well underway. On conclusion of site selection, the design and planning phases will commence. The specific dates for commencement of construction are wholly dependent on, and subject to the successful outcome of these processes. I am assured that the IDA will use its best endeavours to deliver the building in a timely manner. IDA Ireland has engaged with Mayo County Council on its plans.
Despite the success of IDA Property Programme, the programme alone cannot meet the needs of enterprise across every region. The Agency continues to work with regional stakeholders and the private sector on opportunities to add to the supply of competitive land and property solutions in regional locations.
60. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the most recent occasion on which the IDA visited County Carlow; the number of new jobs that have been created by the IDA in the past 12 months in the county; the steps that the IDA Ireland is taking to attract companies to the county; when a new site visit is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44772/22]
View answerIDA markets Carlow as part of the South East region for FDI investment. There are 4 FDI companies in Carlow with a combined employment of 1,477. In 2021, 178 new jobs were created in Carlow.
In response to COVID related global travel restrictions, IDA migrated many of its business development and client engagement activities to digital platforms during 2020 and 2021. As part of this, the Agency developed and put in place an E-Site Visit experience for potential investors. There were two in person site visits to Carlow in the first half of 2022. At the moment there are no planned visits for the rest of 2022.
IDA is building a new 34,000st ft. Advanced Building Solution in Carlow Town. The building is making good progress and is scheduled to be completed before the end of 2022. This will further enable the Enterprise agencies to attract companies and to create opportunities to win additional investment for Carlow.
IDA Ireland will continue to market Carlow and the South-East Region through its overseas offices to target mobile FDI opportunities, with corresponding site visits. IDA Ireland will be targeting Lifesciences, Medical Devices, Financial Services and Technology sectors for investment opportunities in RD&I, advanced manufacturing, global business services and technology development.
