My question is about jobs for Tipperary. A task force was promised to be set up in Tipperary by the Taoiseach some months ago when he was speaking from the seat in which the Minister is now sitting. The people were delighted, including various groups such as March for Tipp, Jobs for Tipp and all the community groups. An eminent lady, Ms Alison Harvey, was appointed to lead this task force but practically nothing has happened and there is disbelief and shock. The Government members all attended a jobs fair down there, including the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, and announced who knows what. Will this task force be funded? Is Ms Harvey going to be allowed to do what is necessary, co-operate and collaborate with the community groups, local authorities and everybody else in Tipperary? They badly need action, not empty words. Does she have a budget and will she be allowed do her work?

Alison Harvey is chairing the task force for Tipperary. She is doing a good job there and it is important that we let her do that work. I have been down in Tipperary on a number of occasions and the regional enterprise plan has a particular focus on Tipperary town. Funding has been provided from a number of sources to assist that region. It will take a bit of time and we should allow her to continue on with the work she is doing. She will have access to all the different Government funding streams, whether it is the rural regeneration fund, the urban regeneration fund or the regional enterprise development fund.

Cá bhfuil sí?

There is a range of funding mechanisms that can be applied to.

Tá sí as láthair.