Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Unemployment is down again today. The figures show that it is at its lowest in eight years, at 7.3%. Like Deputy Penrose, and as a rural Deputy, I want to see jobs in rural Ireland. Jobs are being created in rural Ireland, and we want to see more.

Regarding broadband, as the Deputy knows, the national broadband plan is being rolled out. The plan falls under the remit of the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Naughten. My job is to work with local authorities and get them "broadband ready" so that when the national broadband plan is rolled out they will be able to allow a seamless roll-out in every single county and there will not be barriers or issues around planning, levies and all sorts of matters that can slow things down. It is important that when the national broadband contract is signed, it can go ahead as quickly as possible. I believe that broadband will be a game-changer for rural Ireland.

Deputy Tóibín is absolutely right about retailers nationally. I have been meeting the local authorities and have asked them to work with the LEOs to educate retailers on establishing an online presence because Google is the first place one goes when one wants to buy something. It is therefore important that local retailers have an online presence. If one can buy something locally, the chances are one will do so. However, one needs first to see that it can be bought locally, and the only place people now look - I know we all do it - is Google. We Google everything, so an online presence is important. This is something on which I want to work with all involved.

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