114. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of jobs IDA Ireland supported in each county in the midlands region in 2025; the way in which this compares with the position in each county in the midlands region in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1592/26]

Sentiment score: 0.13

Will the Minister comment on the number of IDA Ireland jobs in County Laois? The most recent figures I received show 145 IDA Ireland-supported jobs in County Laois. In the midland region, which includes four counties, there are over 8,000. Laois has 30% of the population of the midlands region and less than 2% of IDA Ireland jobs.

Sentiment score: 0.02

I thank the Minister for that information. It has confirmed the issue I raised. I want to highlight the following situation. There are 52 IDA-supported jobs per 1,000 people in Westmeath. The figure in Longford is 35 per 1,000 and in Offaly 16 per 1,000. The figure for County Laois is two per 1,000. The IDA does not exist in Laois; I wonder does Laois exist in the minds of the IDA. It has a big regional office in Westmeath, and more power to it, but because that office is in Westmeath, people who come to the midlands are shown Westmeath first. We might be an extra 40 minutes down the road but it is well worth a visit. There is something strategically wrong with the IDA when it can have only two jobs per 1,000 people. The figure for Enterprise Ireland is not much better; it has about 2,000 jobs in the county, which is the third lowest in the whole country. I am asking for a positive response and for the Minister to ask the IDA to do more for County Laois because it has not done much to date.

Sentiment score: 0.07

I appreciate the comment on Leprino, which closed in Portlaoise and was originally Glanbia, an Enterprise Ireland project. Because it was sold to an American company, it now comes under the remit of the IDA. That it just a book transfer but we need to get a facility reopened in that location as quickly as possible. I ask that when the Minister is arranging the visits for Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, Laois be put high on the list. IDA has a 45-acre facility in Portlaoise and planning permission was granted on that in 2024 to lay roads, paths and lighting to facilitate development. We want to see follow-through from the IDA. It is totally out of kilter with the rest of the country. How can the IDA only have two jobs per 1,000 people in County Laois? It is off the scale completely, compared with other counties. There is an injustice happening to County Laois and I want the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to change that.

Sentiment score: 0.02