Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 April 2023
213. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Enterprise; Trade and Employment the number of site visits to Kerry (real and virtual) facilitated by the IDA in the first quarter of 2023 and separately, all of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18844/23]
View answer214. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Enterprise; Trade and Employment the up-to-date position regarding the development of a second advance technology facility at Kerry Technology Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18845/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 213 and 214 together.
There are currently 17 IDA client companies employing 2,020 people located in Kerry and over the past 9 years there has been a 21% growth in the number of people employed by IDA client companies in Kerry.
In addition to the commitment to building a second Advanced Technology Building, in July 2022 IDA Ireland announced that it signed Heads of Terms with Shannon Commercial Enterprises DAC to progress with the acquisition of the remaining lands at Kerry Technology Park, Tralee.
The IDA’s property investment in the regions is aimed at supporting economic development and job creation across IDA’s, Enterprise Ireland's and local LEO’s respective client base. In that regard, it remains crucial that the South-West region has a competitive, sustainable property offering to enable the attraction and retention of investment and jobs.
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. In this regard, IDA Ireland is proposing to identify a site within the land bank to accommodate the construction of an advanced 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 and is subject to a number of complex design, planning and procurement processes.
Finally, IDA Ireland continues to engage with new and existing 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 2023 and beyond. Over 2022 there were 13 site visits to Kerry, 10 Virtual & 3 in-person. Figures for Q1 2023 are currently being verified and will be available next month.
