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Donegal still lagging behind
11.02.08
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INISHOWEN and the rest
of the county still lags behind other regions
despite its high unemployment rate. That's according
to Sinn Féin regional development spokesperson,
Senator Pearse Doherty, who said the numbers of
IDA-supported jobs created in Ireland last year
showed that regional development was "still far from
balanced". |
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"The figures for
IDA-supported jobs throughout the State make for
dismal reading for those living in along the border,
the midlands and in the North Western region. These
figures show that regional development is still far
from balanced," he said.
"It seems the larger urban areas continue to be
prioritised higher than rural areas. Despite the
North Western region having the highest unemployment
levels in the State, it continues to fall behind in
terms of job creation."
Senator Doherty said the Government had to |
start taking "real
initiatives" to attract businesses to rural areas
such as Donegal and the border counties.
"Telecommunications and transport infrastructure are
top priorities. I know that a lack of broadband
access in my own county has made some companies
think twice before deciding to settle there. And
there can be no doubt that lack of rail in Donegal
has seriously hampered progress," he said.
"However, the most important thing is that the
Government needs to prioritise those areas that are
most in need. It is no surprise to see that the
constituencies where some Government Ministers are
located have, in the most part, done quite well with
IDA jobs. These constituencies just happen to ignore
the trend between rural and urban areas. This cannot
be allowed to continue and I would call on the
Taoiseach to put an end to this practice.” |
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