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MEPs call Government to task on Mid-West jobs plan
IRELAND South MEP Alan Kelly has described the failure to act on the first report of the Mid-West jobs task force as "an example of a lethargic, laissez-faire approach from the Government".
However, the Labour MEP said he was cautiously optimistic over plans by Tanaiste Mary Coughlan for the IDA to provide a special focus to Limerick and the surrounding area in its next five-year report, due out later this month.
Denis Brosnan last week expressed concern after he said the Government had not acted on any of the recommendations of his group's interim report, published last June.
Among these recommendations were creating an environment for investment, having the IDA make the Mid-West a priority region and the creation of an emergency response unit which would report back to the task force on a monthly basis in a bid to secure employment here.
However, none of these recommendations has been publicly acted upon by Government – and Mr Brosnan revealed the group considered disbanding because of this.
Mr Kelly says he never trusted Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister Coughlan to deliver. Asked about the new IDA plan, he said: "I would be delighted if it did (have a Limerick focus) but I don't have faith in this Minister to deliver and I never have. But I will give anyone the benefit of the doubt – I hope she is right and it will happen. The Mid-West has really suffered from a lack of an IDA approach. Many areas have not had business in years – parts of North Tipperary have not seen new business for 26 years for example. There is a huge issue in relation to what the IDA is doing."
He added the €23m European Globalisation Fund represents a "golden opportunity" to give ex-Dell workers the opportunity to create their own businesses.
"Some of the ideas coming through from the workers are quite innovative, some of them are export-oriented. It is also a great chance to create a bit of enthusiasm for a central group of workers" who he said had stood on their own feet. And this "can have a viral impact across the region," Mr Kelly commented.
MEP Sean Kelly said there was a need for the 2,500 former Dell, Banta and Flextronics staff "to be put at the centre of what is happening" in relation to the globalisation fund.
"It is for the benefit of the workers and I don't want to see the money gobbled up by state agencies, some of whom unfortunately have become discredited at a higher level in the last year in particular. As the fund is there for the benefit of the workers, if there are private colleges who can provide courses which the workers need, then that will have to be facilitated.
"Earlier on, Enda (Kenny) and I, and the two deputies (Kieran O'Donnell and Michael Noonan) met the Dell workers and we made our point to them. We want flexibility and fairness for them. The workers have to be put in the centre of what is happening."
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