Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 May 2022
84. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will liaise with the IDA regarding further development of a site in Ballinasloe, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25099/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIDA Ireland markets Ballinasloe as part of the West Region. There are 120 IDA supported companies in the Region employing 27,695 people in total. Between Galway City and County, there are 93 IDA supported companies employing 21,428 people, which represents an increase of 3% on the 2020 figures. Marketing Ballinasloe as part of the West Region provides scale and scope, giving confidence to potential investors that they will be able to establish themselves outside of a main city area and be able to secure talent and services to make their business work.
IDA positions the West Region as home to the leading cluster of Life Sciences industries employing the highest per capita of Medical Technology staff in Europe; Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Hollister and Baxter are some examples and of course Surmodics in Ballinasloe. These international brands are an attraction for additional companies to potentially locate to the West Region and Ballinasloe.
The provision of property solutions is an important element in IDA’s marketing of Galway and the West Region. IDA actively promotes available buildings and land in IDA Business Parks and high-quality buildings in private ownership through their network of overseas offices. In Galway IDA has invested significantly in the provision of world-class property solutions.
Following the decision by Aptar to cease manufacturing operations in Ballinasloe in 2020, IDA Ireland worked to market the vacated facility to potential client companies of IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. In May 2021, Enterprise Ireland client company Chanelle Pharma announced plans for 60 jobs in Ballinasloe and a €5m investment.
I am advised that the IDA continues to market the available lands (c.21.94 acres) on the IDA business & technology park in Ballinasloe to potential investors, including the advanced planning permission for an Advanced Technology Unit on these lands. IDA Ireland and Ballinasloe Area Community Development (BACD) completed a joint venture to secure planning for an Advance Technology Unit (ATU), with the availability of the ATU planning permission being marketed by IDA as a planning de-risked and flexible potential property solution.
