The programme for Government commits to attracting new jobs to Ireland's more rural areas, along with increased investment in the development of towns and villages throughout the country. The Taoiseach, fair play to him, was instrumental in ensuring that IDA Ireland developed new advanced factories in both Sligo and Mayo. On that basis, can he advise me as to the progress being made to promote the new advanced IDA Ireland factory in Sligo to potential foreign clients, given that it is now complete and awaiting a company?

These measures have been a success, as Deputy McLoughlin is aware. I hope the facilities that have been committed to from Tralee to the Athlone and in the western region will be marketed by IDA Ireland and will attract interest from direct investors into the country. Approximately 1,500 jobs are being created each week. As broadband capacity and the infrastructure opportunity are rolled out, it makes it much more attractive for jobs to be created outside the greater Dublin region. As the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Mitchell O'Connor has pointed out on a number of occasions, the Government's decision has been to invest in creating the vast majority of jobs outside the greater Dublin region in terms of IDA Ireland. That approach is backed up by Enterprise Ireland's being able to expand many of the firms that export at the moment. Deputy McLoughlin's local facility in Sligo is being presented and promoted by IDA Ireland and I hope that process will be successful soon.