An enhanced Industrial Development Authority presence in the south-east is one of the options to be considered by a strategy group to tackle Waterford's economic problems.
The task force, Strategy Waterford, was announced by the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, on a visit to the city last Friday. It is expected to be up and running by the end of this week. It will be asked to report to her by May or June.
In the meantime, Ms Harney said she would implement a number of initiatives to combat unemployment in the city, which remains relatively high in spite of the economic boom. "I have been putting together ideas in relation to what may happen here to stimulate activity, and I will announce these soon," she said.
The lack of an IDA Ireland area director in the south-east has long been a source of irritation in the region. Mr Paddy Gallagher, the area director based in Cork, is in charge of the agency's activities in the south, mid-west and south-west regions as well as having responsibility for the south-east.
Ms Harney said this was one of the issues which the strategy group, made up of business, trade union, local government and community representatives, would be asked to consider. Its brief will be to propose short-, medium- and long-term steps needed to bring investment to the area.
Ms Harney was in Waterford to canvass for the Progressive Democrats' election candidate, Mr Oliver Clery. The constituency is one of several key marginals.