Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, the Deputy needs to understand the Government does not allocate enterprises or jobs to counties, towns or regions. Enterprises make decisions. To improve the attractiveness of certain regions, additional supports can be made available by IDA Ireland. In the south east and mid-west, additional support is provided by IDA Ireland to enterprises that wish to locate there. The supports are actively marketed as an additional incentive beyond some of the stronger areas. In addition, we have made a decision that there will be, in the next three years, advance facilities in each of the six regions. Those have been selected by IDA Ireland based on their ability to attract and be a magnet for the region.

Approximately 30% of the money that IDA Ireland is providing for property solutions will be for the nine facilities. Some 70% of the additional money for property will be available throughout the country on foot of strategic decisions to strengthen business parks, provide strategic sites, etc. Every region has an opportunity. I ask the Deputy to regard the regional strategy as an opportunity for the region to develop new enterprises and make the county and region attractive. We are seeking to bring forward the best ideas to build on the strengths of the region. The Deputy's region has many strengths on which we seek to build. This is not a story of neglect but of an opportunity being offered to the Deputy and his region. We hope the region will take up that opportunity.

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