Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is very encouraging that we have seen a fall in unemployment and an increase in the number of jobs in every county in the past couple of years. Obviously, it is happening at a different pace in Sligo. Job creation was only at approximately 2% between 2011 and 2016, which is a much lower rate than in other places.

Leitrim did a little bit better at about 6%. Some Border areas saw significant increases in employment, however. For example, it was 12% in Cavan, 11% in Monaghan and 10% in Donegal. Even within the Border region, one sees considerable variation.

Key to the Government's efforts in improving the environment for job creation is the implementation of the Action Plan for Jobs. This involves several different measures including supporting business to create jobs, increasing the budget for local enterprise offices, and providing a better infrastructure to all parts of the country, not least the north west and Border areas, in terms of road and broadband.

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