Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2020
451. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the position as of 28 February 2020 in relation to a project (details supplied) in County Mayo; if a planning permission application was submitted in 2019 as per previous commitments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3155/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe site in question is an area of approximately 11 hectares on the Sligo Road in Ballina, County Mayo. Planning permission was previously obtained in 2004 for its infrastructural development, although that subsequently expired in September 2009.
The site has, however, been concept master planned by the IDA to help demonstrate its potential to investors. The Agency also continues to actively market it to clients considering investing or expanding in County Mayo.
The IDA is assessing the potential of its landbank in the context of its upcoming new strategy. A revised planning permission application for this site in Mayo remains under consideration as part of that assessment.
More generally, County Mayo continues to be a strong performer in terms of attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). There are 17 IDA client companies in the County employing nearly 5,000 people. Mayo has experienced year-on-year increases in employment by IDA client companies since 2013 and the pipeline for FDI remains positive with 108 net new jobs created in 2019.
