Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I came across data released recently by IDA Ireland showing the number of site visits conducted throughout the State for three quarters of 2018. Of the 461 visits to date, over half were in the greater Dublin area. It is not surprising that, unfortunately, counties like Monaghan, Cavan and many others have only received one visit to date. There is nothing new in these statistics. Nevertheless, they continue to be disappointing. Thankfully, counties like Monaghan, Cavan and many other Border counties and other counties throughout rural Ireland have many indigenous employers that create employment in those areas. Only for those people, God help us, I do not know where we would be. It is disappointing that many families in these counties have worked hard to put their children through primary school, secondary school and on to university. They have paid hard with fees and big money for rent so that students of the families can be educated in universities in Dublin and the other cities. Unfortunately, once that process is complete they have to wave goodbye to their children because there is no employment for these qualified people in their home counties. This is something that needs to be addressed. We have been talking about it for long enough. We need to ensure that foreign direct investment and high-paid skilled jobs can be located in rural Ireland, especially in Border counties like Monaghan and Cavan and so on.

Will the Leader ask the Minister for Education and Skills to come to the House to explain to the good people of Meakstown in Dublin 11 why he has refused to go ahead with a school for that area?