Fermoy IDA site remains in the doldrums more than 20 years on

With significant investment in Limerick announced recently by the IDA, questions have again been raised regarding the idle IDA site in Fermoy.

Global healthcare and biopharmaceutical leader, Eli Lilly and Company plan to invest over €400 million into a brand new manufacturing facility in Limerick, the company and IDA Ireland announced recently.

The proposed project for Limerick is expected to create more than 300 new jobs for highly skilled workers in the area.

In Fermoy however, the Business and Technology Park, a fully serviced site located at the former army barracks on the northern outskirts of the town, is now idle for over 20 years.

According to the IDA, their main objective is to encourage investment into Ireland by foreign-owned companies.

With growth and development in Fermoy town increasing in recent years, a lack of action on the site in Fermoy has been noted, despite repeated calls for such.

FUTURE PLAN?

Local councillors raised the issue of the empty site in 2019 and again in 2020, when it was requested that Cork County Council write to the IDA, who took over the site in 2002, seeking an update on their plans for its future and querying whether it should put on the private market.

Enquiries made by Cork East TD Seán Sherlock last year received a response from IDA Ireland who claimed that they ‘continue to work with all stakeholders to secure tenants for the park’.

On foot of major investment announced for Limerick, TheAvondhu requested an update from the IDA regarding their Fermoy site.

In response, a spokesperson said the IDA Ireland continues to work with all stakeholders to promote the park to potential investors.

“IDA Ireland continues to deliver property solutions, which is critically important to support the needs of new name FDI investments and the expansion needs of existing clients in Ireland.

“Fermoy Business & Technology Park is maintained as part of IDA Ireland’s property portfolio and is available to accommodate and support investment and development by IDA and indigenous industries. The Business and Technology Park is marketed to suitable qualifying client companies and is serviced to accommodate both manufacturing and office-based industries as required,” the spokesperson said.