Tramore Town Council is to remind the government and the IDA that the resort has a business park which is available for use. It is also to challenge Enterprise Minister Batt O’Keeffe as to what pressure he is applying in the search for jobs for the town.
A motion on the subject was tabled at the Council’s October meeting by Blaise Hannigan, prompted by a Dail statement by Minister of State Martin Manseragh promoting business for Waterford City and Dungarvan, but ignoring Tramore’s claims.
“The Minister said he would be encouraging the IDA to canvass for industry and jobs for the city and Dungarvan, but made no mention whatever of Tramore”, complained Cllr Hannigan.
That was despite the fact that there were vacant units in the resort’s business park which would be ideally suited to a call centre or a research and development project. There were also plenty unemployed people, including highly educated young men and women, who would be delighted to take up positions locally.
Enlighten
It was decided to write both to Mr Manseragh and the IDA to enlighten them of the situation and, on the suggestion of Cllr Pat O’Callaghan, the Council is also to contact the constituency’s TDs and Senators asking them to promote Tramore’s case for jobs more vigorously.
Endorsing the decision wholeheartedly, Cllr Joe Conway said the fact that the Minister ignored Tramore’s claims for fresh employment served as a reminder that not only the current government, but previous ones as well, Tramore represented something of a blind spot when it came to economic regeneration.
Cllr Lola O’Sullivan said it was an opportune time to invite the IDA to address them on its vision for Tramore, if it had one. “I wonder if that body is even aware we have two designated areas for new business”, she commented.
Mayor Ann Marie Power said that whatever about blind spots when it came to Tramore, the town and surrounding area was definitely an unemployment black spot and she announced she would invite both an IDA representative and Minister for Enterprise Batt O’Keeffe to address the Council on the subject of job creation locally.
