Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am glad there will be a new emphasis in IDA Ireland's strategy because, while its job creation efforts have been positive and successful in recent years, the regionalisation aspect of its strategy has been a disaster. The figures speak for themselves. In 2010, some 37% of inward investment was located outside Cork and the greater Dublin area. This figure fell to 27% in 2011 an declined further to 23% in 2012. I understand it increased to approximately 30% in 2013. This imbalance has a significant impact on rural communities. According to Irish Rural Link, for example, nine out of ten of the young people it deals with are considering emigration. It also has the effect of emptying rural areas, by which I do not mean the countryside but small and medium sized provincial towns where services such as post offices, schools and Garda stations are closing. This trend creates further pressures on cities. Will the Government ensure that the new emphasis becomes part of the IDA's strategy from 2015 onwards?

See this speech in context