Monday 4th March 2019, Monaghan: Minister Heather Humphreys today announced that IDA Ireland has selected Monaghan as the location for a new Advanced Technology Building (ATB) and appointed a design team.
 
The new c.1,350 sq. metre property is to be located, subject to planning permission, at Monaghan Business & Technology at Knockaconny.
 
The development is part of IDA Ireland’s wider Regional Property Programme (RPP).  The programme funded by Government was announced in 2015 as part of IDA Ireland’s strategy ‘’Winning FDI 2015-2019’ to develop property solutions in regional locations.  As part of its regional focus IDA Ireland is investing €150m over five years.  As part of the RPP, advance buildings were constructed completed and occupied in Athlone, Waterford, Sligo, Tralee and Castlebar with c.700 jobs announced. 
 
IDA Ireland is continuing the programme with buildings under construction in Dundalk, Limerick, Galway and Waterford which are scheduled for completion this year. Additional funding was allocated in Budget 2019 for the next phase of the programme, for which Monaghan is included along with counties Louth, Carlow, Sligo, Westmeath, Waterford, Limerick and Galway.
 
Speaking at the appointment of the design team for the new ATB this morning in Monaghan, Minister for Business Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys T.D. said: "When I was appointed Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation in December 2018, I said my number one priority was going to be supporting the regions, and in particular the border region because, in the past, it has been left behind.
 
“I followed through on that commitment in Budget 2019 when I increased the IDA’s Budget for the Regional Property Programme by €10million specifically so the agency could develop further advanced premises in the border region with Monaghan, Dundalk and Sligo identified as suitable locations among others.
 
“Now have real and tangible progress with the appointment of the Design Team today for a new IDA Advanced Technology Building here at Knockaconny. Without a doubt, this new facility will help to attract more investment into the region.
 
I want to wish Tomás Kelly of AECOM and John Parker of ABK Architects well in their work ahead. You both bring a wealth of experience to this project and I have no doubt you will do an excellent job."
 
IDA Ireland’s Executive Director Mary Buckley said: “The positive precedent set by IDA Ireland during the pilot phase of our property programme, supports this additional and ambitious new programme which includes an ATB in Monaghan.  IDA Ireland’s advanced building solutions offer ready-for-occupation, high specification, flexible and sustainable property solutions, suitable for high value manufacturing and global business services to support the winning of investments from FDI clients.”