Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. The IDA's policy states it would be in keeping with the authority's stated policy objective of balanced regional development to have 50% of projects delivered to regions outside Dublin and Cork. The Minister of State correctly pointed out that the midland region is receiving investment and he stated the gateway hub of Tullamore, Athlone and Mullingar is being looked after, but only two of those towns are being looked after. There is no IDA development in Mullingar. He also referred to proximity to third level institutions. The availability of a highly educated workforce is of huge importance to potential investors. The town is well located with AIT down the road and NUI Maynooth up the road, both only a 30 minute drive away.

According to reports regarding the upcoming budget, no grants will be made for fourth level education and that will have a detrimental affect on the IDA's efforts to attract foreign direct investment. If the student registration charge is increased further, it will also have a detrimental effect because young people will be disincentivised to attend third level and educate and upskill themselves to a level that would attract foreign direct investment.

Will the Minister of State take a personal interest in the site in Mullingar? I am sure he will visit the region. When he does so, will he visit the IDA park in Mullingar to see first hand how well located and serviced it is and how quickly it could be made ready and available to a potential client? The IDA should look outside its own parameters regarding this park. It seems to covet the site because no one else can get a look in. The authority has had it for the past 11 years and it has not attracted any company. Enterprise Ireland, the local authority, the county enterprise board and community organisations should be given the opportunity to avail of it and let whichever group comes forward with a reasonable suggestion use it. If that means they have to be given the site without paying for it, so be it. Captains of industry who are prepared to take risks and invest their own capital in line with their entrepreneurial spirit to create jobs in our locality should be let on to the site. People need to be incentivised to spend their own money to create jobs because the State will not do so. The State needs to introduce policies to incentivise people to generate job creation using their own wealth.

Will the Minister of State give a commitment to do this, especially given the recent decision to close the Army barracks in Mullingar and to cancel the decentralisation of the Department of Education and Skills to the town? The town has lost 500 jobs. The IDA says it prioritises areas that have suffered job losses. Mullingar must be at the top of the list if that is the authority's criterion.

See this speech in context