Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy English, for his reply. I worry when I see that the indicators for Kildare show an unemployment level that does not conform with the criteria set down. I am asking about the Athy municipal district, where unfortunately the unemployment rate is higher. Once again, we have a departmental reply which encompasses the entire county rather than the part of the county to which I refer today. I am worried about the south of the county. Parts of County Kildare have terrific employment. Unfortunately, in the main, we have become a commuter county. The part of Kildare I am worried about is the Athy municipal district. We need to attract employment to it. There is a high unemployment rate there at the moment.

I have gone through most of the nine criteria set down by the Commission. I ask that it would look at them again. The Minister of State referred to the census. Perhaps in his reply he would indicate that he will look again at the issue when the information is available. I know that it only equates to 7.5% funding, but every cent of funding for the Athy municipal district would be welcome. We need to create every job that we can, given the current factors and the need for jobs in the area. I again thank the Minister of State for coming to the House, but I ask him to review the decision based on those criteria.