Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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13. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the recruitment of a full-time replacement as south east regional manager for IDA Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44773/22]

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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The Leas-Cheann Comhairle is very good and I thank her. What is the status of the recruitment of a full-time replacement for the IDA Ireland south-east regional manager? Will the Minister make a statement on the matter?

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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I am glad to inform the House that following the completion of the recruitment process, IDA Ireland appointed Brian McGee as the new south-east regional manager in July 2022. This appointment will enable IDA Ireland to promote regional development in the south east, which is at the centre of IDA Ireland's 2021 to 2024 strategy, Driving Recovery and Sustainable Growth. IDA Ireland will seek to deliver half of all investments from 2021 to 2024 to regional locations. IDA Ireland is committed to the pursuit of more balanced, compact regional development which can deliver complementary efficiency and equity gains, with the overall impact of helping to advance national development. I hope this is of use to the Deputy.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Is there someone for the job?

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Yes, Brian McGee was appointed in July.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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When will he start? What is the update on this? I met-----

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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I hope he is at his desk working because he was appointed in July.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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This needs to be clarified. I have been working with various businesses and there has been a misunderstanding about this. Will the Minister of State send out to businesses the name of the person? We welcome the appointment. It is very important. I want to highlight that as the Minister of State knows, Carlow and Kilkenny are very important to me. When there are IDA Ireland visits I ask that Carlow is part of them. We have so much to offer. I always feel that Carlow is always forgotten in the south east. I will always say this. We need to work to make sure that Carlow and Kilkenny are not forgotten.

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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I will absolutely make sure that Carlow is not forgotten. We could not possibly forget it with the Deputy here. As the Deputy knows, in IDA Ireland's strategy there is a target to complete an advanced building solution in Carlow in 2022. It could end up being early in 2023 but it is a commitment and it will happen. There is also a commitment to bring additional investment to the south-east region. There are clear targets. Construction of the third advanced building solution in Waterford will also benefit Carlow as will the various developments in Kilkenny. There is a lot going on in the counties represented by the Deputy from IDA Ireland's point of view and rightly so because it is very committed to the regions. The Department is also working on this.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State. It is great to get the clarification and I will let the businesses know.