THE IDA has stated it has no plans to dispose of “any part” of its business park in Drogheda but acknowledged that “it would be better” from a marketing point of view if the park was in Co Louth rather than just inside the Meath boundary.

Mr Pat Doherty, regional manager with the IDA in the northeast, was responding to local reports that the IDA was unable to provide grant aid to companies wishing to invest in the park because it is just outside the Co Louth boundary and therefore the BMW (Border, Midlands and West) region.

The IDA is able to access funding and grant assist companies in the BMW but under the EU regional funding guidelines it cannot offer provide such support to companies outside the BMW that have more than 250 employees worldwide.

To date some 200 employees are based in Drogheda IDA park on the western fringes of the town, which is also beside a slip road onto the M1 motorway.

Mr Doherty said, “Those familiar with Drogheda will appreciate much of its expansion has taken place in County Meath as it has very limited extremities to the south and west within County Louth.”

“The (IDA) park is actually located about 100 metres into Co Meath. There was no issue with this when it (the site) was bought as the acquisition predated the Regional Aid Guidelines handed down by the EU which determine the level of grant support that can be provided to enterprises,” he said.

“Purely from a marketing point of view it would be better for the IDA if the site were 100 metres further east in Co Louth as potential investors there could be incentivised,” Mr Doherty added.

Discussions have taken place about the parks suitability for job creation involving non-IDA clients and Mr Doherty said there is provision in legislation to waive restrictions where alternative uses are recommended to the Minister by the IDA.

However, “no such alternatives are currently being considered nor are there any plans to dispose of any part of the site”.