Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I am very disappointed by the figures, of which we are aware. It is important. I am very disappointed by the IDA. It made one official visit to Carlow last year. I am not sure if its representatives came down once or twice. Perhaps they had meetings I was not aware of. Its performance in Carlow is very bad.

University status for Carlow and Waterford institutes of technology is crucial. The Institute of Technology Carlow IT is Carlow's biggest employer. We have over 700 staff in the institute and it provides great employment to Carlow. University status is crucial. The Government should focus on employment in Carlow and creating more jobs.