asked the Minister for Industry and Energy when an advance factory will be built in Freshford, County Kilkenny.

I am informed by the Industrial Development Authority that it is, at present, negotiating for the purchase of a 5.5 acre site at Freshford, County Kilkenny, for industrial development.

The IDA expect to finalise the purchase of this site over the next month or so and construction of a 5,000 sq. ft. advance factory on the site will commence as soon as possible thereafter.