Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response on the overall approach of IDA Ireland but I want to concentrate specifically on Laois. In recent times, mainly through Enterprise Ireland, Irish businesses have made announcements about Portlaoise. These include Glanbia's cheese plant, SkOUT, as the Minister of State mentioned, and the announcement by Mr. McDonagh. People might not be aware that Portlaoise is the fastest growing town in Ireland based on the recent census. It has a population of 25,000. It has outstanding new schools. Every primary and secondary school in Portlaoise is brand new and was built in recent years. No other town can boast this. It is a good place for people to raise families and we want families to move there.

I want to put on record the official IDA Ireland position in County Laois. At the end of last year, there were 119 IDA Ireland supported jobs in County Laois. By 1 million miles, this is the worst figure of any county in the country. All the surrounding counties fare better on this front. They also fare better when it comes to investment and site visits. However, I appreciate and acknowledge the increase in site visits this year. IDA Ireland needs to step it up and keep it going. It is in their minds and I look forward to the chief executives of IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland coming back to Laois, as they committed to do, in the coming spring. I will work with them to promote the county and I ask for a positive attitude towards IDA Ireland investment in the county. It is something we would all welcome. I look forward to an announcement before then. I am putting pressure on IDA Ireland day in, day out. I am not just doing it on a once a year basis, I am doing it constantly and I will continue to raise the matter in the Dáil and directly and personally with IDA Ireland until we get a good positive result for County Laois. This is what we want to see. I look forward to this happening sooner rather than later.

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