75. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the timeline for the purchase of a site (details supplied) in County Longford; and projected timeline for building. [66931/26]

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. Furthermore, the IDA is positioning the Midlands Region - including Longford - as a competitive destination for global investment and IDA is targeting 40 of these 550 investments to the Midlands Region.

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 the LEOs. The IDA Regional Property Programme supports the provision of land, buildings and essential infrastructure in regional locations and IDA is investing significantly in the development of Advance Building Solutions (ABS) in the regions to attract additional FDI investment.

The provision of property solutions is a key element of IDA’s marketing of Longford and the Midlands Region and IDA has committed to build an ABS in Longford during its current strategy.

While the site selection process still remains commercially sensitive pending completion of any land acquisition, IDA Ireland continues to engage with Longford County Council, wider stakeholders and the private sector to identify a suitable site aligned with investor needs for the proposed Advance Building Solution (ABS).

IDA also continues to work with regional stakeholders and the private sector on opportunities to add to the supply of competitive property solutions in regional locations.

There are 51 IDA client companies in the Midlands Region comprised of counties Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath, employing 7,501 people. The FDI performance in the region has been consistent over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 16%. The Midlands has a significant ecosystem of well-established companies across Life Sciences, Engineering, International Financial Services, Content, Consumer & Business Services and Technology.

1,572 people are employed in 8 IDA client companies in County Longford. Of course, my Department and our Enterprise Development Agencies also support Irish-based enterprise development in the regions including through Enterprise Ireland, the LEOs and our Tourism investment supports. There are an additional 2,581 people employed in Enterprise Ireland supported companies in Longford.

I can assure the Deputy that I remain engaged with the IDA on developments with this site.