I propose to take Questions Nos. 239 and 240 together.
Government policy and the IDA strategy both recognise that the timely provision of appropriate, innovative, and cost-effective property solutions that meet the needs of multinational companies at the forefront of a modern economy remains essential to winning FDI. A robust property and infrastructure ecosystem can be the key differentiator in winning FDI projects, as evidenced by the record regional results achieved under the IDA's current and previous strategies. In a challenging, competitive, and uncertain global environment, IDA’s regional property programme seeks to ensure the supply of land, buildings with essential infrastructure in regional locations as required by current and prospective clients of IDA as well as Enterprise Ireland and LEOs.
A key strategic objective under the current IDA strategy, ‘Driving Recovery and Sustainable Growth 2021–2024’, is the delivery of Advanced Building Solutions to regional locations. In that regard, IDA is committed to delivering 19 Advanced Building Solutions (ABS) across six regions in sixteen locations together with working with Local Authorities, where appropriate, on advance planning permissions for additional building solutions.
Against the backdrop of the difficulties experienced in the construction sector globally and despite the impact of Covid and construction price inflation on both works & budgets, IDA has maintained momentum on the delivery of its Regional Property Programme whereby c. 42% of the programme will be completed by end Q2 2023. This includes the delivery of eight buildings across 4 Regions. These are:
1. Monaghan Advanced Business Solution - delivered in Q3 2021
2. Sligo Advanced Office Building - delivered in Q4 2021
3. Dundalk Advanced Building Solution - delivered in Q1 2022
4. Limerick Advanced Manufacturing Centre - delivered in Q3 2022
5. Limerick Advanced Building Solution - delivered in Q4 2022
6. Carlow Advanced Building Solution - currently scheduled for completion in Q2 2023
7. Waterford Advanced Building Solution - currently scheduled for completion in Q2 2023
8. Athlone Advanced Office Building - currently scheduled for completion in Q2 2023.
Additionally, it is envisaged, following the successful completion of public procurement and planning processes, that there will be 5 buildings on site in 2023. 3 further buildings are expected to be in the planning system before the end of 2023. With respect to ongoing site selection for the remaining properties, this process is underway. These are detailed as follows:
1. Sligo Advanced Building Solution - work commencing Q3 2023
2. Galway Advanced Building Solution - work commencing Q3 2023
3. Mullingar Advanced Building Solution - work commencing Q3 2023
4. Cavan Advanced Building Solution - work commencing Q4 2023
5. Athlone Advanced Building Solution (formerly "AF4") - work commencing Q4 2023
6. Letterkenny Advanced Building Solution - currently in design and planning phase
7. Drogheda Advanced Building Solution - currently in design and planning phase
8. Tralee Advanced Building Solution - currently in design and planning phase
9. Castlebar Advanced Building Solution - site selection process underway
10. Oranmore Advanced Building Solution - site selection process underway and
11. Longford Advanced Building Solution - site selection process underway.