The programme for Government contains a commitment for the creation of more jobs in the regions outside Dublin. However, IDA Ireland and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment seem to have a blind spot when it comes to County Laois. Despite Portlaoise and Laois being located on the crossroads of Ireland at the N7, N8, N77, N80, the performance of IDA Ireland and the Department in Laois is dismal. There are just 156 IDA Ireland-backed jobs in the county. More than 12,000 workers commute out of the county every morning. Some have to drive long distances and can find themselves sitting in traffic for two hours. The Leprino cheese factory, which has only been there for three years, is due to close very shortly, with the loss of 132 jobs. I raise this because we do not seem to have got anywhere with it over the years. People have been raising it for three decades. The figures say that 156 jobs have been created but that 132 are going. What is being done by IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland to get replacement industries for the Leprino plant?

Sentiment score: -0.06

What is being done to develop the 60-plus acres owned by IDA Ireland outside Portlaoise-----

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-----and get industry onto those sites? Will the Tánaiste take this matter up with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and his Department and ask them to urge IDA Ireland to act quickly in respect of this matter?

Sentiment score: 0.26

Not in Laois.

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