I propose to take Questions Nos. 222, 224 and 225 together.
Job creation measures and the provision of replacement industries are day-to-day operational matters for the Industrial Development agencies. A central goal for the agencies is the achievement of balanced regional development. The attractiveness of County Limerick lies in its position as a regional gateway, with a critical mass and infrastructure necessary to attract mobile investment to the region. The most recent example of the attraction of Limerick as a location for new business was the decision by Northern Trust Corporation to create 300 high quality jobs in the financial services sector. Another example is Vistakon, which recently announced its intentions to expand its Limerick operations and create some 120 jobs in high-end manufacturing.
The Government and the agencies recognise the need to provide high volume employment opportunities in County Limerick that provide sustainable jobs. I am confident that the State Development agencies, in partnership with other key players, will strengthen their marketing and promotion efforts in the region and will continue to secure additional employment for the area, particularly in view of the situation at the companies in question. Fortunately, there is a general buoyancy in overall employment in Co. Limerick as evidenced by the most recent Live Register figures released by the Central Statistics Office. These show that for September, 2006, the figure for the County is 7,205 which is down significantly on the previous month's figure of 8,253.