2026-04-28

128. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the current position regarding the IDA-owned lands at Ballingarrane in south Tipperary, including the extent to which IDA Ireland is actively promoting the site following the recent grant of planning permission for an advance building; the marketing and investor engagement strategy now being pursued, including international outreach and the inclusion of the site within IDA property portfolios; whether any expressions of interest or inquiries have been received to date; to provide an updated timeline for the delivery of an advanced facility on the lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24947/26]

Will the Minister give an update on the IDA-owned lands at Ballingarrane industrial estate in Clonmel and the extent to which the IDA is actively promoting the site, particularly following the recent granting of planning permission for a 100,000 sq. ft advanced building solution?

I thank Deputy Murphy for his very important question and the work he is doing on the ground for our enterprise areas in Tipperary. Balanced regional development is a key focus of the work of the Department through our development agencies. In this regard, IDA Ireland is continuing its strong commitment to promoting foreign direct investment, FDI, in regional locations as part of our 2025–29 strategy, Adapt Intelligently, and is targeting 550 investments of FDI projects outside Dublin over the strategy’s lifetime. Furthermore, IDA Ireland is positioning the midwest, including Tipperary, as a competitive destination for global investment and is targeting 100 of these 550 investments for the midwest. The availability of suitable property and strategic sites is a critical component of the regional value proposition and can be a key differentiator in investment decisions from both new and existing clients, as well as clients of Enterprise Ireland and our local enterprise offices. IDA Ireland, in partnership with Tipperary County Council, has secured planning permission, as the Deputy pointed out, for a proposed 10,000 sq. m advanced factory building solution on a site of approximately 3.4 ha at Ballingarrane Science and Technology Park in Clonmel, which I visited with the Deputy earlier this year. This advanced planning permission allows maximum flexibility to the potential client, whereby they can avail of the permission or amend it to suit their specific requirements, subject to further planning permission. IDA Ireland, in conjunction with Tipperary County Council, continues to aggressively market the Ballingarrane site and the proposed advanced building solution to existing investors, including in the IDA Ireland portfolio and through our Enterprise Ireland global office network, its regional offices and IDA Ireland’s website. The timeline for delivery of the proposed advanced building solution will depend on when the site is acquired and developed by a suitable client. I will give more information in my follow-up reply.

It is positive to see that foreign investment is now at record levels. There have been 323 investments in the past 12 months that will realise more than 15,000 jobs. Unfortunately, none of those investments are at Ballingarrane industrial estate. As the Minister said, this is a fully-serviced, strategically located land bank of more than 50 acres. It is in IDA ownership for more than 25 years. We have planning permission for that 100,000 sq. ft advanced building solution. As the Minister knows, Clonmel has a strong track record in terms of delivery, multinational employers, a skilled workforce and a reputation for reliability. Why has it taken so long to get to this point? It is crucial that Ballingarrane is prioritised within the IDA’s international marketing efforts.

I hear Deputy Murphy's frustration and I assure him I will leave no stone unturned in getting a client for this very exciting opportunity in Ballingarrane, which is an exceptional site that has full planning permission. We have approximately 16 IDA clients in County Tipperary such as Boston Scientific, Abbott, Merck, Sharp and Dohme, MSD, and Waystone. These are all exceptional clients providing high-quality employment across the sector. We have approximately 95 Enterprise Ireland clients in Tipperary that employ 6,800 people. Between both agencies there are more than 12,000 people in employment. Critically, and I know the huge work the Deputy is doing in the tourism sector, we hope to have our capital schemes for Fáilte Ireland out in August. I know at the forefront of the Deputy's mind is the Bulmers visitor centre at Dowd’s Lane, which is another exciting project. The enterprise projects, between tourism and enterprise agencies, will critically breathe life into rural areas and give towns that strong, sustainable employment they so badly need.

I thank the Minister. It was remiss if me not to acknowledge his own visit to the site at Ballingarrane. This site has been in IDA ownership for a very long time. The people I represent want to see tangible results, zoned and fully serviced lands, planning permission secured and a clear opportunity to deliver a flagship facility. I appeal to the Minister personally to keep the pressure on the IDA. I do not want to be asking the same question in six, 12 or 18 months’ time, but I will. I really want to see a timeframe for delivery of an IDA-linked company at this particular site. It is great to see more than 300,000 people now employed in IDA-linked companies. I want to see Clonmel in that number.

I assure the Deputy of my intention to continue to work very hard with the IDA to try to secure a client for that. It is important to note IDA employment increased 30% over the past five years in Tipperary as a whole. When we consider the region it is linked with, it has outpaced it by a very significant margin. Those exceptional clients in Clonmel and Tipperary as a whole create a solid ecosystem that makes it attractive for other clients to come into the region. We will work very closely with the Deputy to have a very strong value proposition. Budget 2026 achieved that for the enterprise sector. With our research development and innovation tax credit and the work we can do in supporting sustainable investments, in working with training and skills, we have a very important and exciting opportunity in Tipperary to work and develop further the options and value proposition Ballingarrane gives. We will do our very best to try to secure a client for it.