Mr. Nick Ashmore:

It goes to the heart of a number of the questions that have been asked, including Deputy Bruton's question on rural broadband, Deputy Shanahan's question on the regeneration of Waterford and the questions on competition for talent outside of the tax schemes. The importance of regional investment and regional urban regeneration, and the development of funding in tech ecosystems throughout the country, are crucial for all of this. This speaks to many of the challenges we are trying to address with our investment programme. We try to align our strategy to key challenges facing the State, for example, climate or housing. Regional provision of housing is crucial but it is a real challenge in terms of viability at present. With regard to housing investment, our focus is on mass market housing and providing this wherever we can and across all the different types of housing required. We have a shortage in social housing, family homes and rental properties. There are shortages everywhere. We are trying to invest in ways that support the market, bearing in mind that we are a commercial investor.

In terms of urban regeneration, how a place looks and feels is important in attracting talent. Access to broadband is now so much better. I was reading an article yesterday about how small remote working hubs are starting to be centres of economic activity in small towns with people coming together, sharing ideas and starting businesses together.

All that activity is crucial. Equally important for mid-size or growing businesses, is the ability to be able to offer the option to staff of living in areas where there is a lower cost of living and access to a higher quality of life, and the benefits of that quality of life in a rural or regional environment. We have worked hard in Kilkenny on the urban regeneration of the old brewery site. It has been very successful and that building is now up and running, with high quality tenants. It is part of a new city quarter within Kilkenny. We have taken that template and now applied it in Limerick city. We have just kicked off the construction of the Limerick Opera Square project. One Opera Square is part of that overall regeneration of an entire block in Limerick city. It is being undertaken in conjunction with the city council. It will be a highly impactful urban regeneration project. We are in discussions in Waterford concerning two exercises that will result in significant urban regeneration and create space for technology companies to want to work and thrive in.