Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman. Regional development remains a priority for the Government. I am very much aware that an important part of unlocking the potential of regional Ireland is ensuring that foreign direct investment is spread as evenly as possible throughout the country. The regional action plan for jobs is a key mechanism to ensure this regional development succeeds. As the Chairman knows, I am from a very rural constituency right on the Border. I am very conscious that we need to get the spread right across into all of the regions. We will certainly focus on those areas that are lagging behind.

It is important that we do this. There is a big focus under the Action Plan for Rural Development on getting jobs into the different regions.

Of the 200,000 jobs that are planned under the Action Plan for Jobs, 135,000 of those jobs will be created outside of Dublin. I believe that there is a much greater focus on the regions. I am only in this post a couple of days but I have spoken to Mr. Shanahan and know that IDA Ireland is very much focused on looking outside of the Dublin region. Some companies want to locate their enterprises in Dublin and we would rather have them in Dublin than not have them at all. There will be increased focus on the regions.