Intel has secured planning permission for a new Fab plant at its Leixlip complex in Co Kildare.
The $4 billion investment, which could ultimately employ 800 people, has yet to get the green light from executives at Intel’s California headquarters.
An Bórd Pleanála has given the semiconductor giant 10 years to proceed with the project – twice the term of most planning approvals.
The Intel proposal allows for a 255,819sq m semiconductor wafer fabrication (Fab) plant, including associated buildings and works.
As part of the conditions of the planning approval, Intel will pay local authority infrastructure contributions totalling over €27 million.
The report of planning inspector Robert Speer said up to 3,500 jobs could be created during the three-year construction and fitting out of the plant.
Local TD Emmet Stagg welcomed the decision. He said the new plant would be used to build a new generation of faster and more powerful microchips.
Intel has invested approximately €7.5 billion since it established its Irish base in 1989. Most recently, it invested €1.6 billion in the Fab 24 plant in 2006.
The company currently employs more than 4,500 people in Ireland.
Mr Stagg said the planning permission gave Intel Ireland “the final piece of the jigsaw in their quest to be selected as one of the three locations to build the next generation of chips”. No timeline has been given for a decision.
