Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 October 2023
45. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he can provide an update on efforts that his Department, in conjunction with the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and Clare County Council are undertaking to secure new enterprise for the former Roche site in Clarecastle, County Clare. [44148/23]
View answerIDA Ireland has been working closely with Roche since their decision to close the Clarecastle facility in 2015. IDA Ireland had actively marketed the site through its extensive overseas network to both existing and new investors as a going concern which unfortunately yielded no offers.
On 26th July 2023 Roche held an event attended by stakeholders, including IDA and Enterprise Ireland, where Roche senior management presented a letter to Clare County Council offering the Council "he benefit of a right of first refusal in respect of the Roche site in Clarecastle after the remediation works are complete".
Roche is now focusing on remediation and decommissioning of the site and has commenced a programme of works in this regard. The company has developed digital content of their plans which can be shared with potential investors. They will be seeking mixed industrial use projects from start-up to scaling/FDI clients to fill the facility once the remediation is complete.
Clare County Council are working with Roche to develop a master plan for the site in Clarecastle. The Roche site is identified as a key strategic site in the Ennis 2040 Economic and Spatial Strategy.
IDA Ireland’s Regional Development, Property, BioPharma and Overseas teams remain engaged with Roche. While the site is not in IDA Ireland ownership, IDA Ireland continues to proactively market the site as if it were contained in the IDA Ireland property portfolio.
Enterprise Ireland will also work with Clare County Council and the Project Manager once they have a value proposition for interested clients.
