Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein)
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I thank our guests for their informative presentations. I will begin with Ms Buckley. I acknowledge that IDA Ireland has done a terrific job of attracting investment to Limerick where I live. It has been a good news story for the most part. However, the Chair and I have engaged with employers from the tech sector in Limerick regarding the National Technology Park in particular. They have expressed concerns to us about the challenge posed by housing. It is becoming problematic and may impact their ability to win future investments from within their own firms and to deliver the jobs they want to deliver. These are good employers that offer good careers. Housing is a major issue. The employers have also liaised directly with the local authority on this matter. Ms Buckley acknowledged the housing challenge when she spoke about capacity restraints. We have the most expensive rents in Europe. This is not just the case in Dublin - rents in Limerick have increased by 17% annually.

It is a particular issue for some IDA-related companies in the tech sector. I will give our guests an opportunity to comment on that point. When we hear that message, we know there is a problem. The first thing we have to do is to face up to the fact there is a problem and then see what else can be done. Unfortunately, as our guests know, we are not hitting our targets. We are not even spending the money we are supposed to be spending on housing. I know first-hand it is a particular problem. I will give our guests an opportunity to respond, if they would.