Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2020
48. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA-organised visits involving those from the industrial sector that have been made to an unused IDA site in Tipperary town since it was vacated by a company (details supplied); the way in which it is being marketed by the IDA; and the amount in nominal rent that has been paid for the site to date. [16411/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra49. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of vacant properties on IDA lands nationwide and in County Tipperary; his views on turning over unused lands or premises to local authorities to allow community organisations to use them as a premises in view of the contribution such groups make to communities such as those across County Tipperary; the cost of maintaining such empty premises in County Tipperary each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16412/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 49 together.
There have been 31 site visits to County Tipperary since Continental Promotion International Limited dissolved in 2016. Specific information is not, however, available on IDA client site visits to the site in question or to other individual locations. The Agency compiles such data on a county-by-county basis only in the interests of client confidentiality and commercial sensitivity.
The IDA retains the underlying residual freehold title of this site which attracts a nominal annual ground rent of €25.39 per year. The site is currently being marketed to potential investors through the Agency’s offices both in Ireland and abroad. I have been informed by the IDA that two sites on the Business Park in Knockanrawley have been sold in recent years to businesses in order to facilitate their expansion and create employment opportunities. Two hectares of land remain available and work is continuing to encourage other firms to invest there.
More generally, the availability of marketable serviced land and buildings in advance of demand remains an essential element in the IDA's ability to compete for mobile foreign direct investment. Not only does such a supply of properties help the Agency to secure high quality jobs but it also allows projects to begin at an earlier date by diminishing difficulties associated with land acquisition, planning and construction. It therefore represents an important means by which the IDA can encourage and attract new investors to regional areas of Ireland.
The IDA does consider opportunities to utilise its property portfolio to attract other non-traditional type investments into a region, including those which do not fall under its remit or that of Enterprise Ireland. Any such interest in an Agency property – whether from a local authority or otherwise – would be considered on a case-by-case basis and would be subject to IDA Board Approval. IDA currently has no unoccupied buildings in its ownership in Tipperary.
