Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 October 2023
55. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on the IDA advanced building solution to be provided on the purchased IDA land bank in Mell north Drogheda; the expected timelines on the delivery of the ABS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44295/23]
View answerIDA’s regional property programme ensures the continued supply of land, buildings and infrastructure in regional locations to meet the needs of current and prospective clients of IDA, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices. The timely provision of appropriate, cost-effective property and infrastructure solutions to meet the needs of Multi-National Companies (MNCs) remains essential to winning Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Accordingly, the provision of property solutions is a key element in IDA’s marketing of Louth and the Mid-East Region.
Regional development is a key plank of IDA Ireland's current strategy “Driving Recovery & Sustainable Growth 2021-2024”. Under this Strategy, the IDA is targeting half of all investments to regional locations which aligns with the objectives of the Programme for Government. IDA Ireland holds a circa 19-hectare landbank at the Mell in Drogheda, Co Louth. This landbank forms part of IDA’s long term strategic plans to position Drogheda and the wider Mid-East region to compete for FDI investment.
IDA is committed to building an Advanced Building Solution (ABS) on the new lands. In this regard, I am advised that IDA Ireland has now formally lodged its planning application for its proposed ABS at Mell Drogheda. Subject to planning being granted, it is IDAs intention to then progress the process of identifying a suitable contractor in line with public procurement procedures to deliver the ABS.
Over the last five years, IDA’s Regional Property Programme enabled the winning of capital-intensive projects of significant scale to regional locations. IDA will continue to work with commercial property developers and Local Authorities to market other property solutions across all regions.
