Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We all extend congratulations and concur that there is a buoyant labour market. However, it is sometimes or often outside the control of Government policy which sets down broad parameters. It is then up to business to thrive within them. The Government has an active policy on regional development, but it is failing dismally. I will explain why. In the Border region the employment gain from the third quarter of 2017 to the third quarter of 2018 was 0%. The figures for other areas are as follows: in the west the figure is 5%; in the mid-west, 0%; in the south east, 0.6%; in the south west, 15%; in Dublin county and city, 32%; in the mid-east, 7.3%; and in the midlands, 7.9%. In two regions there was zero growth, while there is a major uptake in job creation throughout the country. Imbalance is part and parcel not of Government policy but of its consequences.

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