Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

Between January and May of this year, 193 visits by prospective foreign direct investors were made throughout the country, at the invitation of IDA Ireland. Six visits were made to the south-east region - three to Waterford, one to Dungarvan and two to Carlow. This is absolutely appalling. The serious neglect of Waterford and the south east must be brought to an end quickly. There has been a drain of jobs from the Waterford constituency in recent times, following big and small closures and big and small layoffs. In the past year, there has been an increase of 1,046 in the overall live register figure for the Waterford constituency. As of 31 May last, the live register figure for the Waterford exchange area was 12,294, while the figure for the Dungarvan area was 2,346. The total figure for the whole constituency was 14,640. The breakdown of these figures shows that in the Waterford exchange area, 1,742 men and 1,038 women under the age of 25 are on the live register. The comparative figures for the Dungarvan area are 306 males and 141 females under the age of 25. These figures do not include those who have emigrated. There were eight prospective investor visits to the Waterford area in 2009, with two visits to the Dungarvan area.

I asked a parliamentary question on 9 June last about the promotion to potential investors of the former cheese factory site at Kilmeaden, County Waterford. In response, the Minister, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, informed me that the promotion of land banks to investors is the responsibility of IDA Ireland, which will promote the site for mobile overseas investment as appropriate. He also informed me that Enterprise Ireland has made its regional and international staff aware of the availability of this land and continues to offer support within the realm of its remit. The Kilmeaden task force was established in 2009 by the company in question. Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Waterford County Council and Waterford Chamber of Commerce are actively involved in the task force, which holds meetings on an almost monthly basis. The real issue is whether IDA Ireland has come up with any potential investors. To the best of my knowledge, it has failed to do so.

I wish to compare Waterford and the south-east region with other regions, with regard to foreign direct investor visits at the invitation of IDA Ireland in the first five months of this year. The north-west region, with seven visits, is the region with the next lowest number of visits, after the south east. There was one visit to Donegal and six to Sligo. The midlands came next, with 14 visits. The mid-west and the north east had 16 visits each, east Galway had 18 visits, the south west had 22 visits and the east region had 94 visits. The figures provided by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, revealed that Dublin city and county had 92 visits over the period, Cork city and county had 22 visits, Galway city had 18 visits, Limerick had 11 visits and Waterford city and county had four visits.

The figures I have given the House prove that Waterford and the south east are being scandalously neglected when it comes to job creation. This state of affairs cannot be allowed to continue. Waterford and the south east must get a fair share of the foreign direct investor visits organised by IDA Ireland. There is a vital strategic need to develop the job creation capacity of Waterford and the south east, so that the region's potential can be maximised. I emphasise in the strongest possible terms that if this is to be achieved, Waterford Institute of Technology must be upgraded urgently to constitute the university of the south east. I demand that the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation ensure that Waterford and the south east get a fair share of promotion to foreign direct investors.

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