Group angry over lack of bypass work

THE Wexford Organisation for the Unemployed is up in arms over reports that few if any jobs will be created in the county as a result of the sub-contract for the new Enniscorthy Bypass being awarded to a Portuguese company.

Deputy James Browne has asked Minister Shane Ross to investigate the awarding of the contract to Portuguese company Ferpi SA, which recently set up an Irish-registered company Gorey Earthworks to carry out the groundwork at the huge project.

Deputy Browne says he believes that the Portuguese company will ship in all its own workers, plant and machinery for the massive development, one of the largest of its kind in Europe.

He said that under current legisalation there was no requirement for an entrenched social dividend for local companies in areas where contracts were awarded to foreign companies which are based in EU members states.

Paul O’Hanlon from the Wexford Organisation for the Unemployed said he is outraged that jobs on the project would appear to be out of reach to local people.

‘ This is unfair to the long-term unemployed. How could this happen? Someone has taken their eye off the ball,’ he said, warning of protests if there are no jobs created locally.

Anecdotally, Deputy Browne said he had heard reports that some jobs have been offered to Irish workers on the new project, but at Portuguese rates which are considerably lower than those paid in Ireland.

When the motorway project was announced last year, it was estimated that 400 jobs would be created, with 300 created at the New Ross bypass project, both of which are due to be completed by the end of 2018.