Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will take up Senator Reilly's point. Attracting industry also entails issues of lifestyle, the facilities that are available in an area, atmosphere and diversity. Having met companies, all of these factors are considered together before a company makes a decision.

I will put some job numbers on the record that the Chairman will appreciate. Last year, 4,429 new jobs were delivered by Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and LEOs in the south east, or 12 new jobs per day. The overall number of jobs created in the south east from the first quarter of 2015, which is the baseline year, to the second quarter of this year is 13,000. That represents good progress.

I recognise the challenges facing some areas. The south east was mentioned. More initiatives are probably needed. I met the regional committee when I was in Waterford and had a good discussion about its plans. If all of the initiatives are viewed together, one will begin to see employment increasing, but some areas face more challenges than others. I take that point while recognising that we are also moving in the right direction.