Jobs hopes dashed at Oranmore IDA biopharma lands

Hopes that IDA Ireland had lured a multinational company to its business park in Oranmore have been dashed.

The IDA invited tenders this week to carry out improvement works at its strategic 67-acre site at Oranmore off the N18.

This ignited hopes locally that the IDA had sourced a significant international pharmaceutical company to set up a new base in Oranmore.

However, a spokesperson for the IDA said it hasn’t found a tenant for the site, and the proposed refurbishment works aren’t in anticipation of a new company setting up there.

“I’ve checked with our Property Division and have been advised that these are routine upgrading works,” an IDA spokesperson said in a statement to the Connacht Tribune.

The Oranmore site is fully serviced, landscaped and has planning permission for a significant biopharmaceutical manufacturing campus. The IDA said it is ready for immediate occupation.

The IDA said the refurbishment works to be carried out on the site include the installation of new railing and support posts; remedial works to existing stone paving; removal of existing cycleway surfacing and laying of new anti-skid material; installation of new bark chippings; general maintenance works, landscaping and minor electrical works.

Galway West TD Noel Grealish (Independent) said: “It would be great for Oranmore if there were to be a new industry moving into the IDA lands now, but I’m hopeful that the IDA will attract new employment there soon. I got a commitment in relation to the Oranmore site before the summer at a meeting I had in Dublin with the IDA’s Chief Executive Martin Shanahan and his senior officials.

“They have agreed to treat the Oranmore lands as an extension of Parkmore and any new industry coming to Galway will be located in Oranmore. This would be a big boost to the people of Oranmore, most of whom travel to employments outside the area every day.

“It would also be good for all those who have to commute to work in Parkmore every day — you have 10,000 people doing that every day facing big problems with traffic hold-ups, and really the traffic problem will have to be sorted there before any further industry goes in.”

Deputy Grealish said that there were 67 acres of IDA lands available for new industry in Oranmore, officially known as the Oranmore Science and Technology Park.

“While people’s hopes may have been raised by the publication of the IDA notice seeking tenders for the works there, I suppose it’s important that they do keep on top of this routine upgrading and maintenance to make sure the area is ready if a suitable investor is found,” he added.