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

I thank Deputy McLoughlin. In 2018 we had another record year for IDA Ireland with job creation when the agency had its highest regional jobs growth in 17 years. A total of 58% of all IDA Ireland employment is now outside of Dublin. Enterprise Ireland also had a record year, with two thirds of all Enterprise Ireland employment now outside of Dublin. I want to ensure that we continue to build on those strong results in counties such as Longford and Westmeath.

The next phase for the IDA Ireland regional property programme has commenced and approval was given for additional funding in budget 2019 for new IDA Ireland advance properties in Sligo, Dundalk, Athlone and Monaghan. I will, of course, highlight the need - they are well aware of the need - to have these buildings right across the State.

I will launch the midlands regional enterprise plan in Laois next week. The midlands has shown excellent progress in employment levels since the launch of the Regional Action Plan for Jobs, with an employment growth rate above the 2020 target of 10% to 15%.

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