David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I tabled this motion last week and, unfortunately, since then we had bad news in Waterford city of 74 job losses at Honeywell. I am sure the Minister of State joins me in offering support to the families of the people who lost their jobs. It is always a difficult time. A sour taste was left in the mouths of the workers due to the way in which people found out. Some found out in the media, others by text message. It is an appalling way to treat workers. Unfortunately, 74 jobs were lost at the plant, which is a blow for Waterford city and the south east.

It is important to have a regional focus and a clear focus on the south east from enterprise agencies. A number of weeks ago, the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation published an economic development strategy for the south east, setting out more than 100 proposals for the Government and agencies to give the south-east region a lift. Primarily, it had ten key objectives and proposals, a number of which centred on the enterprise agencies and IDA Ireland. I appeal to the Minister of State and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to recognise the high level of unemployment in the south east and the need for a regional plan that joins up the work of all stakeholders, such as the enterprise agencies, education providers and local authorities.

With regard to enterprise agencies and the IDA, it is a problem that we do not have a regional IDA office, director or support staff. This means we do not have a regional IDA focus. We have seen that in recent times with regard to site visits. The number of site visits has improved this year, but previous years saw decreases. Without a regional focus, we will not be able to deal with the challenges the region has. The IDA will not be able to meet the challenges without a clear focus. I ask the Minister of State to respond to these points.

The regional aid guidelines are up for negotiation at European level. In 2014 there will be a new regional aid map, and the percentage of grant aid that can be made available to foreign direct investment companies will be reviewed. It is important that the south east is at least on a par with the BMW region. This is an issue to do with harmonisation. We must move upwards so that the south east has the same attractive rates as the BMW region rather than a decreased rate. It is important that the south east operates on a level playing field. We need a regional focus and a regional plan from the enterprise agencies so that we are on a level playing field in terms of grant aid and infrastructure.

Progress on the technological university for the south east is also important. It is a priority for the Government, but two and half years into its term of office there is no indication when it will be delivered. I ask the Minister to outline the Government's initiative for the south east, the IDA's plans and focus and those of Enterprise Ireland. There is a clear view in the south east that not enough is being done. Much more needs to be done to give the south east the lift its needs to create jobs for people in the region.