Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 May 2014
94. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the Industrial Development Agency Ireland has plans for building further advanced technology facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20627/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the Action Plan for Jobs 2014, we are bringing a particular focus to regional job creation and are delivering a range of measures to support this goal. One such measure is that IDA Ireland will commence building new advanced manufacturing facilities in Waterford and Athlone and office space in Letterkenny.
I announced in April that IDA Ireland had agreed contracts for the delivery of two advanced technology buildings in Athlone and Waterford, which will be suitable for future IDA client investment from a number of potential sectors. The Athlone building will be located in the IDA Garrycastle Business & Technology Park, on the Dublin Road. The development will consist of an advanced technology building of approximately 2,674 m2, part two storey and part double height single storey, with associated infrastructure. The Waterford building will be constructed at the IDA Business & Technology Park, Butlerstown, Cork Road, Waterford. This development will comprise of an advanced technology building of approximately 2,348 m2, part two storey and part double height single storey, with associated infrastructure.
Both buildings have been designed to high standards. The building layout has taken account of the requirement of potential end users for flexibility by creating front of house open plan offices areas with the potential for subdivision. The rear open plan production area offers flexibility for large scale open plan of again the potential to subdivide or introduce cellular spaces. The proposed buildings will be of high quality environmental design which will achieve the globally recognised U.S.G.B.C. LEED "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design" silver standard. Employment across the two projects will be in the region of 160 to 180 over the construction cycle.
In the case of the office units in Letterkenny, I am informed by IDA Ireland that a developer led solution is in progress at the IDA Business &Technology Park in Letterkenny to deliver a 23,000 sq. ft. office building by the end of 2014. In the current economic climate coupled with the limited availability of funding for all capital projects, investment must be targeted to potential investment wins and associated job creation opportunities. IDA Ireland has assured me that it will continue to assess the requirements in other regional locations on an ongoing basis.
