10th March 2014 Enda Kenny TD, An Taoiseach, Department of the Taoiseach, Government Buildings, Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2 County Longford - Job Creation & Renewal Dear Taoiseach, I am writing to you this letter of representation on behalf of the people of Longford, imploring you to intercede on our behalf regarding job creation in our county, a place which seems to have being largely forgotten by successive governments over the last number of years. I feel that the people of Longford have been badly let down by national policy concerning local economic development since the implementation of the National Spatial Strategy in 2002. Longford Town was overlooked for Gateway and Hub status simply because we had no “heavyweight” politicians in the Oireachtas to fight our corner at the time the plan was being drafted. Since then we have had absolutely no assistance, or indeed expressions of interest, from bodies such as the IDA. A media report in 2012 outlining jobs created by IDA companies throughout the country on a county to county basis had Longford as being “N/A”. The strategy focuses on job creation and placement of industry on a regional rather than local level with priority given to Gateway towns followed by towns with Hub status. Towns, such as Longford, that have neither are completely ignored by the powers that be, and I believe that this is creating a two tier system. According to the 2011 Census figures unemployment around the Longford Town area was at 24%. This is nearly double the national average. The town centre has a major problem with commercial vacancies and what was once a vibrant shopping town is now at a critical juncture, and unless we receive immediate recognition and assistance from government, we are in real danger of not being able to find a way back. I believe that the only way to get Longford, and other rural towns, moving is the creation of jobs and placement of industry around these towns. I believe that a tax incentive scheme, in designated areas in need of renewal, might be one way to direct industry towards areas that haven’t benefited from the National Spatial Strategy. The incentive scheme should be based on the amount of real jobs created rather than just setting up a business. I think that we are now very well placed and, because of the mistakes of recent years, more reliably informed as to exactly what type of scheme might reap the rewards of sustainable employment and rejuvenation of the “forgotten” counties. The people of Longford are not expecting preferential treatment or a miracle solution that will completely reverse the fortunes of our town and county overnight. What they are expecting, and entitled to, are the same opportunities that are available in other areas of the country. The Oireachtas has the same duty of care to the citizens of small counties like Longford as it does to the citizens in the larger areas of Dublin, Cork and Galway. We have many people in the local government, business and voluntary sectors in Longford that are willing to work hard to develop our county and improve the quality of life of our citizens. All we are asking for is a bit of recognition and focus from government. I truly believe that with your assistance we can get our county back to some semblance of prosperity. Yours faithfully, _____________________ Cllr Gerry Warnock Longford Town Council Tel: 087 966 3562 [email protected]
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 17:18:29 +0000
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