Michael D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the good news for Wexford in the announcement that Eistech is to create 250 new jobs in the town. However, this is the first piece of good news for County Wexford in a very long time. The figures for my county are stark. Unemployment stood at nearly 25% at the end of the second quarter, which is one of the worst rates in the country. According to the figures from census 2011, almost 13% of heads of household in the county are unemployed, which is the second highest rate in the country, and the youth unemployment rate, at 47%, is the third highest in the State. The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation indicated while giving a presentation at a south-east forum that County Wexford received only three out of the IDA's 33 visits to the south east to attract foreign direct investment. This is extremely disappointing in light of the statistics I have outlined. Wexford is one if Ireland's largest counties and we are perceived as doing quite well because we are on the eastern seaboard and located relatively close to Dublin. Three visits from the IDA do not instill confidence for the prospect of foreign direct investment in the county, however. I look forward to hearing the Minister's response.