I welcome the Minister of State. Few towns have suffered so badly in recent employment history as Ballinasloe. It is regrettable that as far back as two and a half years ago the Tánaiste established a task force representative of all the agencies and said Ballinasloe would become an industrial development priority for the future. Two and a half years on, no commitment from any Government agency or the Government directly has brought a single job to Ballinasloe. While some jobs have been created in the town, that was as a result of the initiative of a local private personal group which was formed as a direct result of the situation.
Two weeks ago 385 jobs were lost at Square D, which had been a very good employer. That was the straw that broke the camel's back. As far back as October the Government knew there were difficulties with regards to this company, yet nothing was done. At the time the national spatial strategy was introduced it was aware of this, but Ballinasloe was bypassed. On the day of the announcement that we were to lose those jobs the Tánaiste said Galway was only 40 kilometres down the road and Athlone only 16. That epitomises the total insensitivity on her part to the plight of those who lost their jobs, their families and the total hinterland represented.
I ask the Minister of State to indicate what positive steps are to be taken. There is no point hearing again jargon and clichés regarding the establishment of another action group or task force involving all the agencies. I acknowledge the efforts and endeavours of our county manager, Mr. Donal O'Donoghue, with regard to co-ordinating the resources available at local level to bring about a change. While I know we cannot get a replacement overnight for the 385 jobs lost, we want to give an indication to the those who are in a state of shock and mourning regarding their futures. Many young people who were in employment just a few weeks ago are packing to move from an area which has been neglected by the IDA – whether based in Galway or Athlone – Enterprise Ireland and all the other agencies.
The recent census statistics clearly indicate that we are living in a town and region in decline. Ballinasloe is a town which has passed through the Celtic tiger years without any measurable growth. I call on the Minister for State to ask his colleague at the Department of Finance to extend the pilot scheme operating very successfully in the upper Shannon region to the middle region to incorporate Ballinasloe and Portumna and the catchment area in between. The incentives which have proved so successful in the south Leitrim area and regenerated a rural area in decline could kick-start a new era in Ballinasloe. They would give the injection of inward investment that the town has been lacking from any State agency or Government in recent years.
We heard the Tánaiste indicate there would be decentralisation to Ballinasloe. Even if this was announced tomorrow, it would be two or three years before it would take effect. It would bring people in. We want replacement jobs for the families which have been left without anything for the future. The Tánaiste has given a commitment on the part of the Government that there will be immediate action to bring about a change, to bring industry and employment to Ballinasloe. Employment will come more rapidly if the Government clearly indicates that it will now designate the Ballinasloe region as an area earmarked for inward investment and growth, where local people can respond and bring back life to a town which has many positive aspects and where there is industrial peace. We had two flagship companies, AT Cross and Square D, in which rarely, if ever, there were industrial disputes and the quality of their workers was always recognised.
With regard to the role of IDA Ireland locally, this must be redirected. There is something wrong at the headquarters of IDA Ireland because it will not accept the advantages of Ballinasloe and instead promotes investment in Galway or Athlone. Other people, cynics perhaps, would argue that these other areas are made more attractive for political reasons.
During a recent reception for a deputation from Ballinasloe, the Minister stated that the Government is in favour of immediate action. We have heard about prioritisation before, but no action was taken. The only course of action which would lift the gloom in Ballinasloe would be a clear statement from the Government that it will extend priority designation to the town in order to encourage inward investment and investment from within the community to return life to the town.