IDA is ignoring small towns: Sherlock

THE Industrial Development Authority needs to be “reined in” by the Government as its existing policy does little to create employment in small towns, a minister has said.

Sean Sherlock, the junior minister responsible for research and innovation, believes the IDA is focused too heavily on attracting foreign direct investment to large urban centres at the expense of everywhere else.

He says it is time to “shine a light” on IDA policy to see if changes are required to promote more balanced regional development.