Tanaiste confident of Mid-West task force continuing
TANAISTE Mary Coughlan has said it will be difficult for the government to address the recommendations made by the Mid-West jobs task force "with any immediacy".
However, she remains confident the jobs task force will carry on its work, despite concerns over the government's inaction from chair Denis Brosnan.
The task force was set up 13 months ago in the wake of 1,900 job losses at Dell in Raheen. And last summer it brought out its first report containing 20 recommendations aimed at getting the region - which has almost 50,000 people on the live register - moving.
Among those recommendations were an acceleration of the regeneration projects, a rapid response centre for foreign direct investment, a commission to rule on the future governance of Limerick, a distinct marketing fund for Shannon Airport, and for the region to made a priority when it comes to foreign direct investment. Following the publication of the IDA's new strategy, Horizon 2020, it appears the latter may not happen.
Speaking on a visit to Limerick, Tanaiste Coughlan - whose Trade Ministry makes her the head of the IDA - said: "I appreciate there is an expectation in the region. But it will be difficult to address this with any immediacy. What we are doing is emphasising training, skills and working very closely with Shannon Development in the delivery of their new programme."
The Tanaiste also stated there were just "three or four" strategic issues identified by the task force's first report - released last June. In all, there were some 20 recommendations made.
"Of the three or four strategic issues due to be delivered through the task force, one is ongoing now in the context of the local authority area. I am working very closely with the Minister for Transport regarding linkage, and this project is in its infancy," she told the Limerick Leader.
In a recent briefing here in Limerick, Mr Brosnan said the task force - which includes former UL president Roger Downer and regeneration architect John Fitzgerald - considered ceasing their role, such was the government's response to their first set of recommendations.
But Minister Coughlan expressed confidence the group would continue to meet, saying: "I am confident he will continue as chairman of the Mid-West jobs task force. He has asked me for support and that will be forthcoming, and we will work with the organisation. These people have given time on a voluntary basis to look at what the future of the region should be, and how we can shape it."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Weather for Limerick
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
