Regional income imbalance
Deputy Shanahan highlighted large regional differences in disposable income and asked whether budget policy would address them. The Tánaiste said regional balance was being pursued through development of cities such as Waterford, Cork, Limerick and Galway, and that progress would continue.
To respond to Deputy Shanahan, there are complexities to these figures. Bear in mind that the Government's strategy is to develop regional cities and to develop critical mass in Waterford, Cork, Limerick and Galway to create a better balance to economic development. The situation in Waterford has improved significantly over the past number of years in terms of foreign direct investment, FDI, and investment in education and health services. There has been progression and there have been improvements. That will continue. Our focus will be to re-balance economic development, so there are higher income levels in the regions. Higher populations can sustain regional economic growth. That is the key. This is a small island. It makes sense to have a counter pole to the east coast more generally.