Mr. Ian Brannigan:

Senator Hopkins asked about an indepth specific needs analysis for the region and I could not agree with her more. Enterprise Ireland is best placed to carry out the analysis as we have an excellent track record in terms of econometric analysis and otherwise. We should consider doing it as it would help inform other State agencies.

The Senator also asked for details about micro loans. We have carried out a pilot programme and invested in 17 micro loans that amounts to €313,000 in micro loans. I will have to get back to her with information on jobs. Nádhúra Design in Galway has said there would be 60 jobs created but I do not have the number for the jobs related to micro loans. The micro loans were a response to a demand from the creative economy that said we cannot get money to do anything. The micro loans are very small and amount to up to €25,000. This is the type of tailored response that one will get from a regional or locational based solution. The conversation I would love us to have in the future is that I would like more engagement with the larger State bodies on a model of whether we can slice and dice it from the centre or should go directly to where the need is and work it from that end. At the moment, we slice and dice it from the centre in terms of inward investment and enterprise development; that has worked for a long time in this State. It has had good results. The OECD and other modern countries are very thoughtful about new approaches and tend to seek information from where the issues are in order to best realise the potential. I will leave my comments at that.