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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Feb 2017

Vol. 940 No. 1

Topical Issue Debate

Criminal Prosecutions

It is disappointing that the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality is not present in the Chamber to deal with this matter, which relates to the administration of justice by the Garda Síochána and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. I had hoped to raise directly with her the death by stabbing in Kilkenny city on 15 February 2012 of Kieran Monahan from Durrow, County Laois, and to ask her to make a statement on this case. Mono, as he was known to people who knew him well, was a young man in his early 20s. I wish to extend my sympathies to his father, James, his mother, Mary, his sister, Susan, and his brother, Ryan. The post mortem examination on Kieran showed that he was killed by a single stab wound to the chest.

I would like to raise two issues regarding the decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, not to prosecute this case, quoting the Criminal Law (Defence and the Dwelling) Act 2011 and on the basis of the evidence supplied by the Garda Síochána. I do not believe an adequate investigation was carried out by the Garda at the time of the murder. I want the Garda to carry out a further examination. Statements from those who were present at the scene were not taken sufficiently quickly. This might have allowed people to meet to agree their statements before those statements were made to the Garda. The DPP has confirmed that Kieran was killed by stabbing on the stairs in the dwelling but his body was found outside in an open area. Clearly, many of the events on the night have not been adequately explained and further examination is needed. That is why I am calling on the Minister to make a statement. The family and the public are entitled to know what happened to Kieran on the night in question. We all understand the boy is dead and cannot come back but his family must get some closure through the establishment of the facts of the events of that night.

The case of Kieran Monahan is an extraordinary one by any standards. As Deputy Fleming has outlined, he was murdered on 15 February 2012. I knew Kieran and I know his family. I know his parents, Jim and Mary. According to the post mortem on Kieran, he died as a result of a single stab wound. He had been to the dwelling where he was stabbed earlier in the night. He knew the people who were present in the dwelling, including the person who allegedly inflicted the fatal stab wound. A number of men were present at this dwelling. No one has ever been convicted in this case. In fact, no one has ever been charged or brought before a court for this murder.

It has been deemed that the case comes under the remit of the Criminal Law (Defence and the Dwelling) Act 2011, which had just been put on the Statute Book when Kieran died. We remember that legislation going through the House. Like the members of Kieran's family and their solicitor, as a local Deputy I am very concerned about this decision. The 2011 Act provides that someone can use force against another person if "he or she believes the other person has entered or is entering the dwelling as a trespasser for the purpose of committing a criminal act" and "the force used is only such as is reasonable in the circumstances" to protect himself or herself or his or her property or to prevent the commission of a crime. This defence was never tested in this case because it never reached court.

This person had a single stab wound to the heart. By any standards, stabbing an acquaintance would seem excessive and extreme, but this must be tested in court. This is not a court so I will not get into the detail. The murder was dealt with under the Criminal Law (Defence and the Dwelling) Act. This must be tested in court and the Monahan family is entitled to its day in court. Kieran Monahan deserves justice and so do Jim and Mary.

On behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, who, unfortunately, cannot be here, I thank the Deputies for raising this important matter. The Tánaiste is aware of the reports surrounding this tragic case and sympathises greatly with the family and friends of Kieran Monahan. I am sure everyone in this House is conscious of the very serious impact of violent crime on victims and their families.

The Tánaiste is advised by the Garda authorities that the incident in question was the subject of an investigation by An Garda Síochána in 2012. A file was then submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, who directed that there be no prosecution in this case. The Deputies will appreciate that criminal investigations are properly dealt with by An Garda Síochána in the first instance and that the Tánaiste has no role in particular investigations. It must be also stressed that the DPP is an independent body, which makes decisions as to whether a person should be prosecuted and for what offence. Whereas the Tánaiste appreciates the ongoing distress of family and friends in the aftermath of this tragedy, it is not open to her to intervene in regard to the DPP's decisions in individual cases.

It is worth noting that there is provision to allow for certain people, including a victim's family, to seek reasons for a decision made by the DPP. I understand that details of the procedures in this regard are available from the office of the DPP. This tragic case highlights the trauma and damage that can occur where knives are used in dispute situations. There is a robust legal framework in place on the illegal use of knives. Under the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, the maximum penalty for possessing a knife in a public place without good reason or lawful authority was increased from one to five years. An Garda Síochána also has an extended power of search without warrant regarding knives and offensive weapons. It should be noted, however, that many incidents involving knives occur in domestic settings and on the spur of the moment, which increases the challenges for preventative policing and enforcement.

At an operational level, An Garda Síochána proactively targets public disorder and anti-social behaviour, including knife-related crime, through the strategic deployment of Garda resources. In this regard, detective units and divisional crime task forces may be utilised to provide a high-visibility presence in areas such as late night bars to deter and detect possible altercations. Finally, the accelerated programme of Garda recruitment underlines the Government's commitment to tackling all forms of criminality and providing communities with visible and effective policing.

I acknowledge the response from the Minister of State, which does not deal with the issue at all. I was very careful with my language when I spoke today in saying that the post-mortem examination indicated that this person was killed by a single stab wound to the chest. In view of the fact that the defence of the family dwelling legislation had never been used as a defence, the Oireachtas - which enacted the legislation and which serves the people of Ireland - and the DPP were entitled to see how the legislation worked in a court of law. It is not a matter for the DPP to interpret how the legislation would play in a court of law. We want to see the facts coming out in court to deal with this.

I am extremely concerned by what I heard from my colleague a few moments ago. I wanted to come here to seek justice and a court case but the Deputy beside me used the word "murder" on several occasions. I never used that word. The several statements that this was "murder" have prejudiced the possibility of a trial ever taking place. I was very careful to say the man was killed by stabbing. I cannot prove murder and that is for a jury. A Deputy has referred to what occurred as murder on several occasions, which has jeopardised the possibility of the case ever progressing to trial. A conclusion has been reached in the House that should not have come about.

I thank the Minister of State for her reply. I accept that the DPP is a separate entity but the question here regards the investigation and the contents of the file presented to the DPP. There are serious questions as to why An Garda Síochána and the DPP came to the conclusion that the Criminal Law (Defence and the Dwelling) Act should have been used in this way. I call on the Minister to have the Garda investigation reopened, with a senior officer from a separate Garda division taking charge. We need to have all aspects of the issue investigated and what happened, along with subsequent events, should be re-examined. I ask the Minister of State and the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fitzgerald, to have the DPP re-examine the file and take account of new evidence. This needs a day in court and the family is entitled to justice. This was a serious incident and it was one of the first times this Act was used. When it was brought before the House, it was not envisaged it would lead to cases such as this. It was passed with a different intention. The Act is there but this is a very extreme interpretation.

Regarding the use of the word "murder", I am very concerned about the case and I apologise if I used strong language. The death of this young man is serious and the fact that it was never tested in court is the big issue.

I assure the Deputies I have taken notes on the remarks they have made and I will certainly bring them to the Tánaiste's notice. She apologises for not being here and would like to thank the Deputies for raising the issue. The Tánaiste is aware of the report to the effect that a decision not to prosecute in the case may have been taken in light of the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Defence and the Dwelling) Act. This legislation clarifies the law concerning defence of the home and recognises the special constitutional status of an individual's dwelling. However, the Deputies will appreciate it would not be appropriate for the House to attempt to second-guess the independent assessment of this or any case by the DPP.

I again take this opportunity to sympathise with the family on the loss of their son, which can be a tragedy for any family. It can be very hard for anybody to feel they have not found some kind of justice at the end of the day. I extend my sympathy and that of the Tánaiste. I assure the Deputies that I will make very clear to the Tánaiste the points that have been raised this afternoon.

Psychological Services

Is the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, taking this matter?

I am disappointed that the Minister for Health or the Minister of State-----

I can explain. The Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, was admitted to hospital suddenly last night and cannot be here today.

That is a perfectly acceptable reason.

Last weekend, a letter from the Mental Health Commission to the Health Service Executive, HSE, came into my possession. It was quite shocking as we learned for the first time that it was the intention of the Mental Health Commission to de-register the psychiatric unit in University Hospital Waterford and completely close it down. It is the psychiatric acute unit for the counties of Wexford and Waterford. The new determination of the Mental Health Commission was to reduce the number of acute beds from 14 to six.

I will give some brief background. In 2010, following the closure of St. Senan's Hospital in Enniscorthy in accordance with A Vision for Change, the acute psychiatric services for County Wexford, except for its very north, were added to the acute psychiatric service for Waterford and provided in Waterford. The 14-bed unit had caused deep concerns over recent years as being inadequate.

The letter from the Mental Health Commission states that serious concerns remain as to the safety, health and well-being of residents in the approved centre and that it is quite clear that the current unit is not fit for purpose. While this may well be the case, the notion that there would be only six acute beds available for the counties of Waterford and Wexford is wholly unacceptable. In a letter received by me and, I presume, other Deputies yesterday, the Minister of State, Deputy Helen McEntee, to whom I wish a speedy recovery, indicated that an appeal would be lodged. However, the appeal must be determined by next Friday. If not, the unit will be reduced to six beds as and from next Wednesday. It is unacceptable.

Will the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, indicate in very clear terms what provision will be made for acute patients beyond next Wednesday, assuming the ruling of the Mental Health Commission stands? The letter I received yesterday aggregated acute and sub-acute beds and referred to 36 beds. I am focusing exclusively on acute beds, which are to be reduced from 14 to six, which is wholly unacceptable and will cause consternation among all the population of Wexford and Waterford.

I, too, have a copy of the Mental Health Commission's leaked report that considers a number of options, one of which is to de-register the entire unit at University Hospital Waterford, which would be inconceivable. Another is to reduce the acute beds in the psychiatric unit at Waterford from 14 to six. This would have profound implications for people who suffer from mental health issues, not just in Waterford but in Kilkenny, Carlow, Wexford, Tipperary and possibly further afield.

Today, I received correspondence from a constituent who suffers from mental health issues. She asked me to relate her story to the House. Her name is Antoinette Murphy. She runs an organisation called Candles in the Dark which campaigns for improved mental health services.

On Monday, 23 January I presented to the emergency department at University Hospital Waterford. I was suffering from chest pains and was having a severe panic attack. I was seen by a psychiatrist but I was informed that due to a shortage of beds I could not be admitted. I was turned away and I was left devastated. The staff informed me that I was the fourth person to be turned away that night. How is it allowed that people with suicidal ideation are turned away without adequate supports? I would have gladly sat on a glass floor rather than being sent home. I was left at home and suffered multiple panic attacks since. Do those in authority understand what it is like to suffer from mental health issues? Why do those in power allow a grossly inadequate system to remain in place?

It is hard to disagree with the questions she posed.

Will the Minister of State give assurances to the people of the south east that the acute bed capacity in the psychiatric unit at University Hospital Waterford will not be reduced? The current system is already under pressure and patients are being turned away from the hospital. I have received late night calls from people who have been asked to travel to Cork because the services were not available in Waterford. I have received responses to parliamentary questions to the Minister for Health informing me that key psychiatric posts in the hospital have not been filled. This is adding to the pressures.

Will the Minister of State confirm that the possibility of the unit being deregistered is not on the table? Will she also confirm that the number of beds will not be reduced? Will she outline when the vacant posts will be filled? This is not just for patients in Waterford but for those across the south east.

It was with shock and horror that I learned over the weekend that the Mental Health Commission had recommended the closure of up to eight of the 14 acute mental health beds at University Hospital Waterford. Mental health services in Waterford and the south east are already greatly overstretched. Many people with mental health issues cannot access adequate treatment given that there are not enough acute beds in University Hospital Waterford. Now we have learned that we could lose up to eight beds. It is unacceptable and wrong.

The 14 acute beds in the psychiatric department covering Waterford, Wexford and part of the south east has a catchment area of approximately 300,000 people. The Mental Health Commission has recommended that up to eight of these beds close. The commission has taken the view given that it is concerned that the unit at University Hospital Waterford is overstretched and under-resourced. I am familiar with the unit. The staff are fantastic and work extremely hard under challenging circumstances. However, we cannot turn our backs on people who have mental health issues and who need acute care.

The Mental Health Commission said the unit was under-resourced and that additional resources were required. This must be remedied. The Minister of State must intervene and make funding available to help secure the 14 beds. It is unthinkable that there may be only six acute mental health beds to cover the population of 300,000 people in the entire south east. University Hospital Waterford is already desperately fighting for other services, such as 24-7 cardiac care. Waiting lists are at a record high. We cannot lose what we have. We cannot stand by and see these beds close.

This was a crisis waiting to happen and it is a direct result of the failure to fund and support mental health services properly. A number of outstanding issues with mental health services need to be resolved, such as the provision of a seven-day mental health support service in every catchment area throughout the country. The practice of admitting people suffering from mental health issues to emergency departments must end. Mental health spending is allocated year to year. It is obvious it is not working. We need a multi-annual plan in order that our mental health services can be developed with certainty and we do not see a recurrence of this. The stress and trauma of people with mental health issues cannot be compounded by further bed closures. It is imperative that the message goes out loud and clear. We cannot lose even one bed in the psychiatric unit in Waterford, never mind eight.

I wish a speedy recovery to my opposite number, the Minister of State, Deputy Helen McEntee. The Mental Health Commission is the body charged with the health and safety of inpatients in mental health units. It is the mental health equivalent of the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA. The mental health acute unit in University Hospital Waterford serves the Waterford and Wexford areas, a population of almost 300,000 people. It has only 14 beds. It has been woefully underfunded and, since St. Senan's hospital in Wexford closed, patients from Wexford have been sent to Waterford. They are being treated as second-class citizens as it is. Now, the possibility of complete closure or, at a minimum, a reduction down to six beds is imminent. People will have little or no access to support.

The Mental Health Commission has laid out as a condition of the re-registration of the mental health unit in Waterford hospital that the capacity must be reduced to six. In the letter addressed to the department of psychiatry, the commission has decided to withdraw a proposal to refuse registration fully provided the numbers are reduced to six. Words such as "safety concerns", "overcrowding" and "unsafe" were used in the letter. This was a crisis waiting to happen. Community services are non-existent or have unethical waiting times. Despite this, the units in Waterford are to be closed. Where are the crisis intervention teams? Why are children being put into adult units? Where are the out of hours services for children and adults? Where are the crisis houses? None of these exists, yet we are going to close the only outlet, which is access to hospital units. We must increase, not decrease, services. I expect a clear response from the Minister of State.

It is unfortunate the Minister of State, Deputy Helen McEntee, cannot be here but she was taken ill suddenly last night. She has been released from hospital and is at home.

The Government has been strongly committed to improving all aspects of mental health services since 2012.

Approximately €140 million has been added to the HSE mental health budget, which now totals €851 million.

I will now turn to the provision of acute psychiatric care in counties Wexford and Waterford. The acute mental health unit at St. Senan's Hospital, Enniscorthy, County Wexford, was amalgamated with the Waterford mental health services in 2010. This now provides a 44-bed acute inpatient mental health unit at University Hospital Waterford. The department of psychiatry in University Hospital Waterford provides inpatient assessment, treatment and care to service users living in the Wexford area. Service users who live in north Wexford, who attend Tara House mental health services in Gorey and who require acute inpatient admission have access to Newcastle Hospital, Greystones, County Wicklow.

To ensure that each mental health facility is fit for purpose, the Mental Health Commission is charged with visiting and inspecting every approved mental health centre at least once a year. On 3 February 2017 the Mental Health Commission notified the HSE that following a number of inspections during 2016, it proposed that the department of psychiatry at University Hospital Waterford would be registered as an approved centre, with conditions. Primary among these conditions was that the number of beds be reduced. As Deputy Howlin stated, the HSE has until Friday, 24 February to make representations to the commission to either modify or remove those proposed conditions based on evidence that University Hospital Waterford is or will be compliant with the regulations to which the proposed conditions relate. The HSE intends to request that the commission does not, as a condition of registration, require it to reduce the number of beds in Waterford. Under section 64(6)(b)(iii) of the Mental Health Act 2001, the commission can specify the maximum number of residents in an approved centre or within an area of an approved centre. In this instance, that is proposed because in the view of the inspectors there is insufficient space for the total number of residents, there is a lack of dining, recreational and quiet spaces for residents and the previously proposed programme of works would not have addressed these issues. Taken together, these issues pose a risk to service user safety. The HSE will make representations to the commission before 24 February detailing how the HSE intends to address these issues, including a revised programme of works and associated timelines.

The HSE will outline how, on balance, a bed reduction is less safe for the service user population of the community health care organisation region CHO 5 than maintaining the current bed base, with the controls and improvement plans to be provided. Bearing in mind all the circumstances, I am confident that the HSE and University Hospital Waterford will resolve the issues raised by the commission. The Department will, however, continue to closely monitor the issues raised by the Mental Health Commission, in conjunction with the HSE, to ensure that the necessary corrective actions will be taken.

I regret to say that the Minister of State has not given factual information to the House. She stated, "This now provides a 44-bed acute inpatient mental health unit at University Hospital Waterford." That is not true.

The Mental Health Commission, as the licensing authority, has conditions, the first of which states that the maximum number of residents that may be accommodated within the acute unit of the approved centre is six patients. There is also a sub-acute unit of an additional 30 patients. People with acute psychotic conditions need acute beds in acute units. There are now 14 beds. From next Wednesday, there will only be six. There are no provisional plans to deal with that eventuality. The HSE met the Mental Health Commission on 27 January and it failed, at that stage, to convince the commission not to reduce the number of beds. If it fails again between now and Friday, what contingency plans are being put in place by the Minister and the Department to provide acute psychiatric services provision for the people of Wexford and Waterford?

What is happening here is absolutely outrageous. As the Minister of State said, the service in Wexford was amalgamated into the Waterford service. The Mental Health Commission's report states very clearly that there is a lack of capacity regarding space, therapists and staff and that, essentially, the unit in Waterford was starved of resources and capacity. Bizarrely, the commission's recommendation is to close the unit or dramatically reduce the numbers there, with no consideration given to people who have mental health issues and who need the services of that unit right across the region. Rather than looking at closing or reducing the services, the Minister and the Government should be focusing on increasing the capacity, which the Mental Health Commission has said is not there. Where are the therapists? When are the vacant psychiatric posts going to be filled? How is the Minister going to increase the physical space for recreation areas and quiet rooms? The commission spoke of these things but what is the plan? If there is no plan and if the Government does not put the resources in place, then we could be faced with losing beds and that would be on the heads of those in this Government. Shame on the Government. If we see beds close in a psychiatric unit, it will have a deep impact on people who suffer from mental health issues.

I reiterate the absolute necessity of retaining these 14 acute beds that serve the catchment area of Waterford and Wexford. We must put in place the necessary supports for the patients and staff. As already stated, we cannot afford to lose even one of these beds, for which there is a waiting list. Unfortunately, we all know someone who has needed one of these beds at some time. What worries me most is that if this document had not been leaked at the weekend, four Deputies would not be here debating the issue and trying to get an answer in respect of it. The timeline from 3 February to 24 February is very short. I commend whoever got his or her hands on this document - I believe it was Deputy Howlin - because if we had not had sight of it, we would not be discussing this matter and the fact that eight beds at University Hospital Waterford will be closed on Friday next. People who most need those services will be left without them.

The Minister of State referred to the amalgamation of Wexford and Waterford mental health services. There was no amalgamation. The Wexford services were simply cut and the name "Wexford" was tacked on to the Waterford services. People who needed those services in Wexford were then sent down to Waterford. There was no increase in the service provision in Waterford and no replacement of community services in Wexford to cover those people who needed help and support. The Minister of State said there are 44 beds in Waterford. That is what is there now. The critical issue is the acute beds. They will be cut from 14 beds to six. If the HSE does not agree to cut the number of beds to six, there will be none there. We have not heard about a plan to deal with the crisis that is coming down the line. The response has to be submitted to the commission by Friday. I have seen a version of the response from the HSE. It amounts to a two-line statement to the effect that "What is there is better than nothing so please do not close us down". That is effectively what it says and it is not good enough. This crisis will happen in the next week and we need a detailed response.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to answer some of the specific questions that have been asked. I was just asked to take the Topical Issue. I know this is not helpful to all the Deputies here. I do, however, want to make a few points.

I have not spoken with the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, or the HSE on this matter but I will ensure that if the service has to close, everything possible will be done by the HSE and the Minister of State to ensure that those people have a place to go to. I am very much aware of the whole situation around mental health and services, especially for families who are caught up in a service that may not be around after next Friday. The Deputies have raised an urgent concern. The Minister of State has made it very clear that she will do everything possible to ensure that people are facilitated if the closure goes ahead. We must wait and see because there is no point in jumping the gun. We must afford an opportunity to the HSE to respond. Deputy Howlin explained that the HSE had already met the commission in January. I assure the Deputy that I had not known this while coming in to the House, so I thank him for that information.

I agree with the Deputies that is a very serious matter. The situation needs to be corrected - as anybody who has someone suffering from mental health issues will understand - particularly in the context of people with serious mental health issues being turned away from accident and emergency departments due to lack of beds. I am very sorry that I cannot give more specific answers.

I will relay the messages back to the Department, the Minister and the HSE.

I ask that the Minister with responsibility forward a written response to us.

I will request that. Unfortunately, the circumstances that arose last night were not foreseen.

We must move to the next matter in the name of Deputy Michael D'Arcy.

Before I begin, I ask that the Minister's response be sent to all of the Oireachtas Members in Waterford and Wexford. I want to support my colleagues from Wexford. The prospect of this happening is deplorable.

We must move to the next matter.

IDA Ireland Funding

I have been very critical over a period given the IDA and Enterprise Ireland in particular have done very little for County Wexford. In February 2015 the previous Administration made available €150 million for property solutions for the regions. It was something I was very supportive of and I understand there simply cannot be a major advance factory or major IDA investment in every town and village. However, every constituency should certainly be given the prospect of some expenditure.

I found out the fund was being made available to Waterford and I can understand the logic of this as Waterford is the largest urban area in the south-east region. I then received information that funding was going to Carlow-Kilkenny, which is a five-seat constituency. Again, I can understand funding going to the northern perimeter of the region to try to get jobs out of the greater Dublin area, for example, back-office jobs. However, to my very great disappointment, I was then told the funding would revert to Waterford for the next expenditure from that fund for the south-east region. This is just not acceptable. It means that funding has gone to the four-seat constituency of Waterford, then to the five-seat constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny, then back to Waterford, while leaving out Wexford exclusively. Wexford is a large five-seat constituency and one of the largest counties in the country, with 150,000 people. It is not fair. I have said in this House, and in the other Chamber when I was there, that I am okay with getting a fair share but I am not at all okay with not getting a fair share. On this occasion, it is not happening.

The number of IDA foreign direct investment visits has been in low single digits in recent years. In the first six months of one recent year, there were just three visits. At the same time, I can understand there only being three visits because there is no premises available, although there is some land in the IDA industrial estate in Wexford town - I think it is three acres, in a county the size of Wexford. Again, I am not looking for anything we are not entitled to. I am looking for what we are entitled to, which is to get some shake of what is available. That is not happening. I look forward to the Minister of State's response.

I thank Deputy D'Arcy for raising this issue. I know he has a particular interest in ensuring Wexford gets its share of jobs. I apologise on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor, who was unable to attend due to a prior diary commitment.

I think it would first be useful to set out some information on the aims and operation of the IDA regional property programme. As Deputies may be aware, this initiative was launched in February 2015 by the Government and it is being delivered by the agency over a five-year period up to 2019. The fundamental aim of the programme is to allow the IDA to invest in property solutions that will serve to attract further foreign direct investment opportunities and win additional projects for the regions outside Dublin and Cork. In practical terms, this means equipping the IDA with the means to improve existing business parks and acquire and service suitable sites. The programme also entails the construction of advance facilities, which can be marketed to prospective investors, in areas of the country where the private sector has been slow to build. The availability of such advance facilities is an important part of the programme and 30% of the total funding available has, therefore, been allocated towards their construction.

To answer Deputy D'Arcy's point as to why Wexford was not included, it is important to point out that IDA Ireland, in determining the most appropriate sites for these facilities, has applied a set of key criteria. These include the following: the population density of the area in the question; the nature of other commercial activity and investment in those surroundings; the proximity of third level educational institutions, given their importance as effective feeders of employees for new companies; and the availability of local infrastructure than can support and foster further development in the area. It was on this basis that nine locations were selected for facilities at this particular stage, including Sligo, Athlone, Tralee, Galway, Limerick, Castlebar, Dundalk and Waterford. Facilities at six of these locations are due for completion this year and the remaining three, including Waterford, are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2018.

It is important to point out the advance facilities, although important, form only part of the IDA's regional property offering and the agency has other tools at its disposal to help attract investment to the regions. In respect of Wexford, for example, the IDA has two business parks, one in Wexford town and one in Enniscorthy, both of which the agency’s officials are intensively marketing in order to attract new investment. Furthermore, the IDA holds a further 1.8 ha of land at Drinagh which it hopes to be the home of future investment. We should not forget that arguably a more efficient way to increase FDI in regional locations is deepening and strengthening engagement with client companies that are already there. In other words, where there is foreign investment, it is vital to consolidate this in order to increase the footprint of such companies. We note that IDA statistics are clear that approximately 70% of all new FDI comes from existing clients.

Wexford is home to 17 existing IDA Ireland clients which, between them, employ almost 2,630 people in a range of manufacturing and service operations. There is potential to increase the size of this existing FDI footprint and that is why IDA Ireland is constantly engaging with these client companies to explore the potential for further investment. This approach has already borne fruit and in 2016 client companies already present in the county increased their employment numbers by almost 150 positions.

I want to conclude by emphasising the Government is committed to regional development all across Ireland, including in Wexford. The regional property programme is an important and useful tool but the IDA will continue to pursue all options and avenues to help win further FDI for Wexford, the south-east and Ireland as a whole.

I think it is important to add some information to the Minister of State's script. While he is correct there is an IDA business park in Enniscorthy, there is no land available because it is full. I also want to correct myself as I said there was 3 acres of land whereas it is 4.5 acres. However, if a major client wanted to come to Wexford, it could not do so because that land is not available.

The issue is that if a new company is preparing to invest, either land or a premises must be available. I am fine with the investment in the towns the Minister of State outlined, namely, Sligo, Athlone, Tralee, Galway, Limerick, Castlebar, Dundalk and Waterford, and also that the next funding is being prepared for Carlow. However, subsequent to that, the funding will go back to Waterford, which is not fair. The IDA has made it very clear it is going back to Waterford but it has an obligation to County Wexford as well as County Waterford. Given the Government had made funding available, I do not believe the IDA can just exclude a county in the manner in which it is currently excluding Wexford. I ask the Minister of State to address that specific point.

The information I have in regard to the business site at Drinagh is that it is 7.5 acres and it is available for marketing. I want to highlight a point I referred to in my first contribution, namely, 70% of new jobs are created by existing clients.

That is an important statistic.

Wexford is very strong in the medical technology, medtech, sector. Ireland's medtech sector is on a par with those in Minnesota or Germany. We are very strong in that area. It is not all about IDA Ireland jobs. It is about Enterprise Ireland jobs also. Enterprise Ireland is doing an excellent job in that regard. There are 17 foreign direct investment, FDI, companies in Wexford, many of them in the medtech sector. The number of indigenous small industries that can come out of those foreign direct companies speaks for itself. Employment in the south east increased by 4.6% last year. IDA Ireland had a very strong year last year, which saw all regions experiencing growth.

I am familiar with what Deputy D'Arcy is talking about in the Wexford-Waterford area. Wexford has its strengths. The Deputy spoke about site visits. He is correct. There were very few site visits in 2012; I believe there were only three. Last year, there were seven site visits. IDA Ireland's team in the south east is marketing Wexford equally as much as Waterford but he must consider the way IDA Ireland operates. It operates in regions. It has to try to bring jobs into regions. It cannot simply bring jobs into towns because it is competing with other big cities such as Manchester, which has a population of 5 million or 6 million. That is the way it has to operate to attract companies into these regions. In any event, it is up to the companies to decide where they locate but it is important the Deputy takes note of the fact that 70% of new jobs come from existing companies. I believe there are great opportunities for the existing IDA Ireland companies, particularly in the medtech sector but also in the indigenous area, and for Enterprise Ireland to grow jobs as well as the local employment offices.

Sitting suspended at 4.22 p.m. and resumed at 5.02 p.m.
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