Of 193 IDA-organised visits by prospective foreign investors to this country, up to the end of May of this year, only four were to Waterford city and county and only six were to sites in the South East.
There were 28 site visits by potential investors to a variety of locations throughout the country last month (June) yet not one of them was to Waterford or any other location in the South East region.
Deputy Brian O’Shea, who requested the figures from the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe TD, described the situation as ‘dreadful and appalling’. He said he had written to the chief executive of the IDA, Barry O’Leary, demanding to know why so few IDA clients were brought to Waterford. He had also called on the government to end its ‘wanton neglect’ of this part of the country.
Deputy O’Shea pointed out that the Live Register, as of 30th June, stood at 12,767 for the Waterford Exchange Area while the Dungarvan Area was 2,481, a total of 15,248 for the whole Constituency.
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That’s what happens when most of the smartest natives leave.
According to the 2006 census the total population for Waterford is 108k. This is 2.5% of the total ROI population of 4.2m
4 visits out of 193 is 2.1%, so the level of visit is not too far from our proportion of the population. Why should we deserve more from the IDA than anywhere else?
Reply to Martin B.
Martin you must be a politician because comments like yours could only come from a politician or a like minded person to that of a politician. It’s people like you that are in the position of government that are lacking the drive and spirit to demand a positive result for their region or country. If you are not a politician you should consider joining our gloryous party of leaders up there in the Dail (you’ll get some pretty good living allowances) and run out some more useless statistical figures at the cost of the peoples jobs.
positive thinking is obviously a good thing but martin b regardless of his motives makes a valid point.
good on you Dathai u are bang on the money !
Dathai, I must admit you really drove the nail home with you comments. On reading Martin B.’s comments I felt he was a politician also. You know for the amount of people out of work in this credit crunch and for the amount of useless thinkers who churn out the same rubbish defending the worsy Government in the history of the state, but yet do nothing about creaing jobs, they just make excuses about how they are not at fault and why they should get their 12 wks. holidays and draw down their huge salaries ( bigger salaries than US President or UK Primeminister in some cases) Then they will go on to defend why Waterford should not recieve anymore funds, but yet the same people will take a decision to spend 60,000euros on a dumb and ugly (so-called) art sculpture on the Quays, sort of like that ridiculous piece on the prom in Tramore, and defend that as being the right thing todo, give me strnght with these people. I will say it now , Waterford has a shocking level of Councillors and politician, and Ireland has an equally shocking level of Govt. Roll on the next general election, but can we make it come sooner?????????
I emigrated from Waterford in the early 70s as there was no work to be had.Reading the Munster Express there always seems to be the impression that the Government owes us: a university, jobs, radiotherapy. You only get what you can create or pay for. If not, you do without. In the current recession, we are going to get great practice at it!
Jim you must be a Fianna Fail politician or a supporter because I fail to see how someone could be so ignorant on an issue like this?