Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not accept the thesis that nothing is happening. The employment numbers show very clearly that in the past two years, employment in the south east has increased by 14,000. That is substantial progress and as good a performance as that of any region in the country at the moment. I accept that unemployment levels are still far too high. The reason Waterford has been singled out for an advanced facility is precisely because I want to see more delivery there. As I said to Deputy Deasy, I will be reviewing the appropriate alignment of our resources to the challenges we meet in the context of regional strategy with the IDA. It is worth pointing out that since I put a spotlight on the area, the site visits have doubled. The general indicator is that if one can increase site visits and get more companies in to look at the area, one will get the investment in behind. We need to improve the offering and that is why we are improving it by putting in a facility that will lift the offering that is available. We are approaching this in a systematic way. I agree that it is urgent and I will give it urgent attention. That is all I can assure the Deputy of.