Rural jobs in Kerry
Danny Healy-Rae said rural communities in south Kerry were losing shops, jobs and population, and urged a task force or State intervention to revitalise the Iveragh Peninsula. The Taoiseach replied that most new jobs were created outside Dublin, unemployment was falling, and workable projects should apply to rural and urban funds.
Last week, we heard of massive amounts of jobs coming to Dublin. So much was promised in the programme for Government on jobs in rural Ireland but I have to point out that from Kenmare to Sneem, Waterville and Cahersiveen door after door has been closed in recent times and there are no new jobs. In one school in Cahersiveen only two children presented to be enrolled this year. I ask the Taoiseach and the Government to set up a task force. We have a new digital hub in Sneem that is all kitted out but is awaiting people. It is the same in Dromid and Mastergeehy. There are lovely new set-ups but no prospect of jobs.
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Will the Taoiseach send a Government or State Department to these places to revitalise these communities?
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All they have had in recent years is a bit of a boost in tourism but nothing by the way of new jobs, be they industrial, commercial or what have you. I appeal on behalf of the entire Iveragh Peninsula. It is decimated.
Comment on this
The percentage of jobs created outside the Dublin region is more than 60%. The majority of jobs created in recent years has been created outside of Dublin. Unemployment is down in every county, including Kerry. It is down by approximately half in Kerry and employment is up. I am not sure task forces create jobs but we have the rural fund and urban fund and I strongly encourage people who have workable ideas to create jobs and generate economic development to make applications to these funds. Many towns and many areas have already benefitted from the announcements made in recent days.