Mr. Paul Hogan:

We acknowledge that. The Senator mentioned the Government needs a commitment in the capital programme. Project Ireland is overseen by a delivery board that cuts right across Government and all Departments are represented. That body meets monthly at this stage. There is a focus on ensuring that decisions across Departments with regard to investment are aimed at the right places that can make a difference regionally.

The Senator mentioned employment in particular being important. Obviously, that is agreed. At present, the Department of Rural and Community Development is assessing bids under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and there have been 300 applications from all parts of Ireland. Many of those proposals relate to local employment. That is something that being assessed right now with a view to making a decision shortly. Likewise, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government is assessing applications to the urban regeneration fund. Also, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has a disruptive technologies fund with some element of regional focus. There is a real effort to encourage jobs growth elsewhere other than Dublin.