Decentralised jobs needed for South Sligo, meeting told
The Government need to consider reintroducing a decentralisation programme in order to boost to Sligo city and county towns, according to Fianna Fáil councillor Jerry Lundy. Cllr Lundy put forward the motion citing 3,000 to 4,000 civil servants had already signed up to a ‘civil servant mobility scheme’.
“A lot of civil servants in Dublin can’t afford to pay €2,000 in rent or to save for a deposit on a house. They would have a better quality of life and it would be a great boost for South Sligo.”
Cllr Lundy referred to the now empty Government offices in Tubbercurry where relocated civil servants once worked. He said that if another passport office was created it could be located in those offices.
Independent councillor Margaret Gormley said she fully supported the motion and said the time is right to build up areas that people can access.
Also showing his support for the motion, Cllr Seamus Kilgannon said ‘new recruits’ barely have the price of a train home at the end of a working week and it was now time to get these workers back into the region.
Cllr Keith Henry, a teacher, said he previously refused a job offer in Dublin after he weighed up the salary offer against the price of living, and discovered he would be left with €50 at the end of the working week.
“With rent increases and mortgages, decentralisation would be welcome,” said Cllr Henry. It was agreed that this request would be made to the Government.