Kildare County Council Publishes Strategic Employment Locations Study
Where Investment Meets Opportunity
Supporting economic development and jobs growth across the county to 2040
5 June 2026: Kildare County Council has published its Strategic Employment Locations Study (SELS), a comprehensive, evidence-based report prepared in line national and regional planning policy. The study identifies suitable locations for strategic employment growth, ensuring County Kildare can sustainably accommodate economic investment which supports projected population growth in the years ahead.
The study also responds directly to the revised National Planning Framework (NPF) (April 2025) and the NPF Implementation Guidelines (July 2025), which highlight significant projected population and housing growth in County Kildare up to 2040. In this context, the SELS establishes a strategic framework to align employment opportunities with current and future population needs, ensuring the right type of employment sites are available in appropriate locations to meet evolving market demands.
Developed through an integrated approach, the study incorporates land use and transport planning, the identification of sector specific requirements and an analysis of socio-economic trends and infrastructure needs. This approach will ensure that future employment development is delivered in locations that align with market demands, infrastructure capacity and local skills profiles.
The SELS is intended to support Kildare County Council, its partners, and stakeholders in meeting employment targets while guiding public and private sector investment strategies in enabling sustainable long-term economic growth across the county. It also emphasises collaboration between industry experts, commercial advisors, and infrastructure specialists, recognising the importance of these partnerships in shaping Kildare’s future economic success.
Looking ahead to 2040, the study outlines a strategic economic vision for the county, with tailored employment strategies for settlements designed to boost investment and facilitate job creation. To deliver this vision, the study's recommendations will require the application of appropriate land use zoning objectives through future statutory plan-making processes.
Alan Dunney, Director of Planning, Enterprise and Economic Development, Kildare County Council said: “This SELS represents an important step in planning for Kildare’s future. By identifying strategic employment locations, we are ensuring the county and our major settlements can continue to attract investment, support high-quality job creation, and align economic growth with projected population. It provides a strong, evidence-based foundation to guide sustainable development to 2040.”
The Strategic Employment Locations Study (SELS) and supporting documents are available on the Kildare County Council website at: https://kildarecoco.ie/AllServices/Planning/PlanningStrategies/StrategicEmploymentLocationsStudy/
Kildare’s Strategic Employment Locations brochure is also available to view on the following link: Kildare’s Strategic Employment Locations
