The Minister for Enterprise has committed before the Dáil to deliver 100 new IDA-backed investments across the West as part of the agency’s new 2025–2029 strategy.

Minister Peter Burke also confirmed that a Cabinet memo on the proposed Oranmore semiconductor site was expected in the coming weeks.

Galway East Deputy Albert Dolan, had raised the issue during Oral Questions and highlighted the importance of ensuring that the West continues to attract world-class investments, building on the success of the previous strategy where the region exceeded its target of 76 investments by securing 91.

Afterwards Deputy Dolan, who is also Fianna Fáil’s Spokesperson for Enterprise, described this as ‘welcome news for Galway and the wider region’/

“This update from Minister Burke confirms that the IDA has set an ambitious target of 100 investments for the West under its new strategy,” he said.

“With 31,000 people already employed by IDA companies in the West, we must continue to strengthen this foundation and create new opportunities.”

The Minister also confirmed that a life sciences strategy, aligned with the EU’s industrial priorities, will be published next year.

This will target 100,000 jobs in the sector and exports of over €100 billion, building on Galway’s status as a MedTech hub where over 70% of companies are engaged in R&D.

On semiconductors, Deputy Dolan welcomed the Minister’s confirmation that Galway has been prioritised for next-generation investment.

“The Oranmore site is of strategic importance not just for Galway, but for the entire country,” he said.

“The scale of this project has the potential to transform the region’s economic future, linking hundreds of SMEs into a global supply chain. I welcome the Minister’s commitment that a cabinet memo on the project will come forward in the coming weeks.”

Deputy Dolan also underlined the need to move quickly on planning and infrastructure.

“We have seen with the Dexcom project in Athenry that, when the system works well, projects can be approved quickly and deliver enormous local benefit,” he said.

“That same urgency is now required for Oranmore. Pre-planning permits and the proposed €3.2 billion infrastructure package must be advanced without delay.”

Pictured: Deputy Albert Dolan.