I welcome the opportunity to again raise the issue of job creation in County Donegal, in particular, Inishowen which has suffered further scale-down and closures in the past couple of weeks. Having discussed little else with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Harney, for the past couple of years, and when every other county has done well in terms of job creation targets, we require a focused attack on the outstanding county which has not achieved such targets before there is any economic slowdown.
I call on the Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, to host a symposium at which members of the Donegal task force which is, in effect, the county development board and members of Donegal County Council could meet clients of the IDA and Enterprise Ireland, members of IBEC and ISME, and, if appropriate, members of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce. I make this call as I believe that Dublin's employment difficulties can become County Donegal's employment opportunities.
We often read notices in Dublin to the effect that staff are required. Such notices include details of the great wages on offer; yet, in many cases, the positions remain unfilled. In County Donegal, particularly Inishowen, in the past two years experienced and work-oriented people have been laid off, many of whom are being laid off for the third time as one textile factory after another closes. I again extend my sympathies to all concerned. Sympathy, however, is no substitute for action. If we can get enough people together, we can solve each other's problems. That is the reason I am calling for this symposium or workshop.
There is to be an event on 14 June for the north west. This is a great idea but it is not sufficient. We have the statistics to prove that County Donegal is a special case. No other county has the same percentage unemployment; yet, 1,734 people are on the back-to-work scheme. We need a follow-up day of our own as I am suggesting, to build on anything that may begin on 14 June. The Donegal county manager – a very capable man – and our representatives must be able to target packages at people whom we are aware have a vested interest in moving to a location outside Dublin. We are aware that we, in County Donegal, have more to offer many companies than most, a fact which can be confirmed by those who recently located in the county.
I wish to see the development of an invest in Donegal network where people who have experienced business in County Donegal can mentor others into the county. I want a co-ordinator appointed at State level to ensure this is a process, not simply another event. I acknowledge the north west cross-Border launch in Dublin in which the Minister and her Northern Ireland counterpart, Sir Reg Empey, were involved. However, previous launches have been in vain without the necessary follow-up. I am asking for something more than a picture shoot.
We, in County Donegal, are frustrated. At least one company has had a phoenix-like resurrection due to the fact that some of the textile businesses in Dublin acknowledged that they had work and no workers, while we had workers and no work. These two problems were combined and two resolutions took place.
The same can happen in other sectors. E-bureau work could be carried out in County Donegal – secretarial items translated, typed, bound and sent to Dublin or any large centre. We could also carry out bulk mail or call centre activities for large organisations which cannot get the work done due to a lack of employees in Dublin. I mention these types of activity due to the fact that we have many people who are not in the young age group and do not have the skills to become involved in the more high-tech activities that we would also like to see expand into the county. Too often these people are forgotten.
As regards higher skilled jobs, we also have much to offer. A great deal of thanks must be given to agencies such as FÁS which have put many hours into trying to assist people into upskilling courses. However, I call again for the other basic infrastructures we need – the upgrading of our road access in the A5-N2; the telecommunications promised under the national development plan that have been threatened by Eircom pulling out of the £37 million deal; the gas and electricity links, and so on.
The Minister and the Minister of State are well acquainted with the details of our needs with which I have plagued them. I call on the Minister of State to initiate a course of action which will ensure Dublin's employment difficulties become County Donegal's opportunities. What we gain we will retain.
