Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, has said IDA Ireland has agreed contracts for delivery of two new building developments in Athlone and Waterford which will be suitable for future IDA client investments from a number of potential sectors.

This is the first time since the early 1980s that IDA Ireland has funded and managed the construction of an advanced property solution for the marketplace. The investments are supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

Minister Bruton said: "Delivering jobs growth across the regions is a key part of the Government's Action Plan for Jobs. Some regions suffered worse than others from the employment collapse we saw between 2008-2010, and this Government is determined to support a balanced jobs recovery across different parts of the country.

"It is encouraging that in the past twelve months, every region of the country has seen an increase in employment, with agriculture and tourism in particular contributing to jobs growth in rural areas.

"As part of Action Plan 2014 we are bringing a particular focus on regional job-creation, and are delivering a range of measures to support this goal, with the establishment of the Local Enterprise Offices, the development of regional enterprise strategies and creation of a county-based X-Factor style competition to find the best entrepreneur in the country.

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"The announcement that IDA is resuming construction programmes in the midlands and the south-east is an important part of this. I welcome this announcement and look forward to seeing the results in the coming months."

Barry O'Leary, CEO at IDA Ireland, said: "The availability of high quality property solutions is a key component in winning FDI projects. These initiatives will advance the product offering for both Midlands and the South-East and therefore underpin the conversion of projects from IDA's pipeline.

"Furthermore, these initiatives by IDA will address the current deficit of suitable property solutions and promote investment into regional locations. IDA's direct intervention to construct these buildings is due to the absence of private funding available to do so."

Construction employment across the two projects will be in the region of 160-180 over the construction cycle. The details of the two new construction projects were announced at a sod turning ceremony today in Athlone, attended by the Minister Bruton and senior IDA executives.

The Midlands building will be located at IDA Garrycastle Business & Technology Park, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. The development will consist of an advanced technology building of c. 2,674m², part two storey and part double height single storey, with associated infrastructure. The Waterford building will be constructed at IDA Technology Park, Butlerstown, Cork Road, Waterford. The development will comprise of an advanced technology building of c. 2,348m², part two storey and part double height single storey, with associated infrastructure.

Both buildings have been designed to high standards using materials such as natural stone & specialist metal cladding systems. The designs incorporate subtle soft landscaping taking reference from the surrounding landscape, which compliments and integrates the new building within the existing business & technology park.

(CD)