Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a competitive fund. What we are trying to do is work with all the agencies including the various Government agencies, chambers of commerce and other groups like the Western Development Commission. The most competitive plans with the best chance for success would show a good regional balance and co-operation. There is quite a high fund here - €250 million over five years is a reasonable amount of money to target into regional areas. While the regions can also qualify for other funds in other Departments, this fund is specifically intended to push jobs growth out into the regions. That will be achieved and the quality of the suggestions that are coming through is key. We are very impressed with what is coming through and all the forums have been quite successful.

To correct some of the Deputy's figures, since the start of the Action Plan for Jobs process, employment has increased by 8,900 in the midlands region, while the unemployment rate has fallen from 18.7% to 13.1%. Although the Deputy is right to say that some of this will be emigration, the key figure is that employment has increased by 8,900. In the western region, the number of jobs has increased by 4,000 people in employment and unemployment has fallen from 16.2% to 10.2%. There is some steady progress there although we will agree that a lot of work remains to be done.

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