Enniscorthy Guardian

The IDA does not know that Wexford exists says Browne

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DETAILS of any plans by the Minister for Business, Enterprise & Innovation to address the need for additional jobs and greater investment in jobs in County Wexford were sought in the Dáil by Fianna Fail Deputy James Browne.

‘ The last Central Statistics Office third quarter figures showed unemployme­nt in the south-east surged to 8.6%,’ he said.

‘ The economy is supposed to be booming and we keep hearing announceme­nts about jobs. Unemployme­nt in the south-east is going up, however. Wexford has 3.3% of the national population but it only has 1.3% of IDA Ireland jobs.

‘ The head of IDA Ireland has said he has no intention of purchasing any land in Wexford for IDA jobs despite the fact that Wexford has the sixth lowest ratio of IDA land. We have low-quality jobs as well as a low percentage of our workforce in employment. The jobs that are there are low paid, as we know from the Revenue returns for the south-east. IDA Ireland does not even know Wexford exists.’

In response, the Minister, Heather Humphreys, said her Department and enterprise agencies are playing a key role in supporting the creation of sustainabl­e and quality jobs in the regions, including in County Wexford.

‘County Wexford forms part of the south-east regional action plan for jobs, which aims to achieve a 10% to 15% growth in employment over the period to 2020, as well as ensuring unemployme­nt reduces to within at least one percentage point of the State average,’ she said.

There are 18 IDA Ireland client companies located in County Wexford employing a total of 2,948 people, she said.

‘Foreign direct investment-supported employment in County Wexford has increased by 10% from 2016 to 2017. IDA Ireland continues to work with its clients to identify opportunit­ies for new investment or expansion in Wexford and the broader south east. In doing so, IDA Ireland will draw the attention of investors to the region’s particular strengths, including its ports and existing clusters of financial services, technology and high-value manufactur­ing firms.’

Enterprise Ireland continues to support job creation in County Wexford, with client companies employing more than 4,670 people in the county, she said. ‘Payments by Enterprise Ireland to client companies in the county in 2017 totalled €2.16 million. Significan­t investment announced in County Wexford includes the re-opening of Glanbia Ireland’s Wexford cheese plant following a major capital investment programme. The €35 million investment has been supported by the Government through Enterprise Ireland since 2014 and has doubled peak capacity at the plant.’

 ??  ?? Minister Heather Humphries.
Minister Heather Humphries.
 ??  ?? James Browne TD.
James Browne TD.

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