958. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the supports being put in place to attract new employers to County Wexford and the surrounding region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54878/26]

Regional development is a key pillar of national enterprise policy as set out in the Programme for Government and the White Paper on Enterprise and remains a central focus of my Department and its agencies. In this regard, IDA Ireland has reaffirmed its commitment to regional development through its 2025–2029 strategy, Adapt Intelligently: A Strategy for Sustainable Growth and Innovation, which targets 550 investments outside Dublin, representing 55% of all planned investments. The strategy focuses on retaining and expanding existing FDI operations while securing new investment opportunities in areas such as AI and digital technologies, semiconductors, sustainability and health.

Wexford forms part of IDA Ireland’s South-East Region, alongside Waterford, Kilkenny and Carlow. Across the region, 83 IDA client companies employ 16,395 people directly and 13,116 indirectly, while in Wexford 22 IDA client companies employ 3,404 people directly and 2,724 indirectly. Employment among IDA clients in the South-East has increased by almost 15% over the past five years, reflecting the strength of the region’s established ecosystem in technology, life sciences, international financial services, engineering and advanced manufacturing. Counties in the South-East also benefit from direct and indirect remote and hybrid employment generated by IDA client companies headquartered elsewhere, particularly in Dublin.

IDA Ireland continues to invest in property solutions to support both foreign direct investment and the growth of indigenous enterprise. In County Wexford, IDA owns 58 hectares of land, with approximately 4 hectares currently available for marketing across its business and technology parks in Wexford and Enniscorthy. These strategic landbanks can support future investment projects and provide opportunities for expansion by Enterprise Ireland and Local Enterprise Office-supported companies. IDA is also working with regional stakeholders and the private sector to expand the supply of competitive property solutions and has committed, in partnership with Wexford County Council, to delivering an Advance Planning Permit for an Advanced Technology Building during the lifetime of its current strategy.

Innovative start-ups and scaling companies are critical to Ireland’s future economic success. Enterprise Ireland, working closely with the 31 Local Enterprise Offices and the wider enterprise ecosystem, supports ambitious businesses to access finance, build capability and expand into international markets. In 2025, 84 Enterprise Ireland client companies in County Wexford employed 6,072 people, an increase of 114 net jobs (1.9%) on 2024.

Enterprise Ireland continues to support business growth in Wexford through initiatives such as the expansion of Hoop Medical’s manufacturing facility and investment in the B.A.S.S.E. accelerator programme in Enniscorthy, which aims to support scaling companies and create up to 300 new jobs. Under its 2025–2029 strategy, Delivering for Ireland, Leading Globally, Enterprise Ireland aims to support 1,000 new start-ups, 1,700 new exporters, and increase employment in supported companies to 275,000 nationwide.

Enterprise Ireland also provides a range of direct supports for companies seeking to establish, grow or expand in Wexford, including Employment Grants, Key Manager supports and Market Discovery Funds. In 2025, almost €2.5 million was paid to Enterprise Ireland client companies in Wexford to support job creation, innovation and entrepreneurial activity. Enterprise Ireland works closely with Wexford County Council, the Local Enterprise Office and other regional stakeholders to ensure a coordinated approach to enterprise development and sustainable regional growth.

Taken together, these strong employment figures, ongoing investments and targeted supports demonstrate the continued attractiveness of Wexford and the South-East as locations for both foreign and indigenous enterprise development.