Mr. Tom Hayes:

On what is different in the regional action plans, it really does put a spotlight on the eight regions. It is a bottom-up approach, pulling together all of the parties locally. We have had more than 1,000 people attend the stakeholder engagement events to date in seven of the regions. The Dublin event will be held over the next couple of weeks. It has brought together ideas from all parties, including the public sector, education and training boards, third level, foreign direct investment companies, the private sector and chambers of commerce. There was a significant element of engagement at local level which has been synthesised into an action plan for jobs effectively. Four of these have been launched to date, the latest just yesterday in Limerick. The remaining four will be launched over the next short while.

Apart from the spotlight, a local implementation working group will be established, comprising and mainly led by private sector people with representatives from various bodies such as ourselves, IDA Ireland and the local enterprise offices. This will ensure all of the hundreds of actions involved will be implemented. Obviously, it will also ensure people will work together and collaborate on a community-type approach in the creation of enterprise and the development and creation of further jobs locally. It is a work in progress and will evolve over time as local situations and conditions change. It is not a standstill published document. It is a start and they will be different in giving local communities some real autonomy.