35. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide an update on the plans, if any, for the development of the vacant IDA site at Ballyadam, Carrigtwohill, County Cork. [66899/26]

Balanced regional development is a key focus of the work of my Department and our Enterprise Development agencies. In this regard, IDA Ireland is continuing its strong commitment to promoting FDI in regional locations as part of its 2025-29 strategy, Adapt Intelligently, and is targeting 550, or 55% of FDI projects outside Dublin over the strategy's lifetime. IDA Ireland is targeting 155 of these 550 investments to the South-West Region.

IDA Ireland has approximately 250 hectares of lands in Cork available for marketing to IDA and EI clients including approximately 47 hectares of the 54 hectare site at Ballyadam, which is adjacent to the N25. The presence of strategic landbanks across multiple locations in Cork positions the greater Cork area for new greenfield opportunities, which if successful will benefit Cork city and county and the wider South-West region. This is complemented by private sector activity in the development of manufacturing and office property solutions in the greater Cork area.

A key element in facilitating the development of the lands at Ballyadam is the proposed provision of a grade separated Interchange on the N25 partly on the IDA lands. The proximity of the site to the N25 and the planned interchange are significant factors in enhancing the attractiveness of the site. Amendment to the Local Area Plan affecting these lands with the omission of the constraint limiting their development to a stand-alone industrial user will also serve to enhance the attractiveness.

There has been significant activity at the site over recent years, which has included a land sale to Eirgrid to support the Celtic Interconnector project, engagement with Cork County Council on the proposed M25 Upgrade and the associated potential land requirement to facilitate same.

Most notably, in the absence of the upgrades to the N25, IDA Ireland has also been engaged on future proofing the land bank for development which included delivery of a new vehicular access and internal road network within the site to support potential investment in advance of any upgrade to the N25 road network. This project included extensive consultation with all relevant stakeholders including Cork County Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the various utility providers.

I can assure the Deputy that IDA Ireland continues to collaborate closely with national and local stakeholders to foster the conditions necessary for enterprise, innovation, and job creation in the South-West region.