The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has kept in "regular contact" with Enterprise Ireland about the Bose factory site in Carrickmacross.
That's according to the Minister for Enterprise, Peter Burke.
Local TD, Matt Carthy asked for an update on the factory, and the steps being taken to encourage a new business to take over the site.
The factory was officially opened in 2019 and was supported by Enterprise Ireland.
The company sought to establish an infant formula and nutrition powders manufacturer.
Northern Sound has previously reported that the company never opened, because the business model was no longer viable.
Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Carthy criticised the government over its handling of the situation.
Deputy Carthy said: "The building has essentially lain idle for 11 years. I mentioned it was 2019 when we had the fanfare and the Minister’s party taking credit, make no mistake about it, for jobs brought by Fine Gael to Carrickmacross. The jobs never materialised. The question that needs to be answered is whether the Minister will take a hands-on approach.
"We met Enterprise Ireland. In fairness to the Minister of State, Deputy Smyth, she organised a briefing for local Oireachtas Members when the Minister, Deputy Burke, refused to answer my repeated requests for such a meeting.
"It seems as though everything is being left in the hands of the owners of this building, who have left it vacant for the past six years. My request is that the Minister take a hands-on approach to ensure we restore viable, high-end employment to this site," Deputy Carthy added.
In his response, Minister Burke said that Enterprise Ireland "is working hard".
He highlighted that the company's business model was no longer viable, and that they had been hoping to employ 60 people.
However, Minister Burke said that there is "significant employment in Cavan-Monaghan between Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, with some very high profile jobs.
He said: "First, Enterprise Ireland is working hard. It is the Government agency responsible for procuring a good client for the site in partnership with the owners. As I pointed out, this is a company whose business model was no longer viable. It is not fictitious; it did happen. The prima facie evidence is there.
"The owners engaged with Enterprise Ireland and were hoping to employ 60 people. This is obviously a very strong asset and Enterprise Ireland will work closely with national and international clients and the IDA to try to see if we can get a tenant for it.
"There is significant employment in Cavan-Monaghan between Enterprise Ireland and the IDA with some very high-value jobs. In Cavan, as I put on the record, there are 66 Enterprise Ireland clients employing more than 6,000 people, as well as 1,557 people employed by clients related to the IDA.
"We have very strong jobs which our State agencies support in the area. We will do all we can in working with our agencies to get a good client for the site," Minister Burke added.
Deputy Carthy was critical of the Minister's approach:
"If a buyer is found and a new enterprise is established, the Minister will be there to cut the ribbon and get all the glory. That is the benefit of being in government.
"However, the job of being in government is that one does not get to hide behind a State agency when we are trying to secure reinvestment in an area that has been deprived because of the closure of a substantive factory.
"People refer to the prima facie evidence, good will and the rest of it. Has the Minister’s Department established whether the owners of the Newbaze site, previously the Bose factory, availed of the immigrant investment scheme, for example?"
