The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Key election issues
In their General Election manifesto Tralee Chamber Alliance are calling on the incoming Government to support the needs of Kerry’s capital to create up to 400 new jobs a year.
The detailed manifesto outlines a number of key areas to be addressed, to support Tralee’s growth in population by 30 per cent over the coming years, and to become a more ‘liveable, vibrant town’ that supports the economy of Kerry.
Addressing key decisions to be made at a national level, the document calls for reforms that will ensure Tralee attracts quality jobs, repopulates the town centre and supports the environmental sustainability of the town.
The Tralee Chamber Alliance Manifesto asks people to appreciate that the General Elections are a ‘Vote on National Politics’ to address the ‘current demands and future needs’ of the town. It looks to highlight the impact that National Policy decisions can have and urges candidates to ‘Think Small First’ to reduce the regulatory burden on smaller businesses.
Amongst the immediate actions called for, the Chamber is seeking the introduction of an electric, accessible public bus service in Tralee and a roll-back to nine per cent on the VAT rate for the tourism industry.
There are also calls for immediate action on insurance reform; a one-per-cent Digital-Shopping Import Tax that ring-fences funding for small local retailers; and a greater commitment from state agencies on job creation.
The Alliance also wants to see increased investment in training, transport and infrastructure.
The following are a few of the key points:
STRATEGIC GROWTH
“Our inaccessibility and lack of advance facilities holds us back and has launched us down an unproductive pathway that damages our competitiveness and holds us back on attracting Foreign Direct Investment, to find skills, and to retain employees.
“With Tralee being classified as a key town with a comparable structure to the five regional growth centres of the NPF, there is an onus to ensure key strategic infrastructure projects, that have already been committed to, are delivered on time and that quality employment opportunities are the focus of the population growth.
“Public infrastructure and services need accelerated investment to grow proportionally with the ambitions for population growth in Tralee.”
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
“Ireland’s track record on climate change must improve. Biodiversity and our natural scenery in Kerry underpins our tourism economy and plays a key role in the functioning of our ecosystem, which make Kerry such a naturally beautiful place to live.
“Fundamental to the development of Tralee as a place to live in and visit is its region’s environment, amenities and scenery. Climate change poses the largest risk to our future health and economic well-being”.
TOURISM SUPPORT
“The tourism and hospitality industry is under increasing pressure to survive. Insurance, commercial rates, recruitment, training, apprenticeships, work-permits and the costs involved with keeping up with the ever-increasing compliance measures are all affecting the bottom line. These costs simply need to be reduced in order for the industry to survive and re-invest.
“We urge candidates to ensure all Departments in Government apply the SMF Test (‘Think Small First’) to reduce the regulatory burden on small businesses when making policy decisions.
“We are seeking an immediate roll-back to nine per cent on the VAT rate for the industry. Ireland’s tourism VAT rate is higher than 27 other EU countries. After its increase by 50 per cent in 2019, last year saw a decline in the value of tourism to the economy. Irish tourism’s VAT rate at 13.5 per cent puts the tourism industry here in an uncompetitive position and should be returned to nine per cent.”
Read the full document at www.tralee.ie.