*Moneypoint, Kilrush
THE Clare County Council has its eyes on attracting a “significant employer” to the county.
Cllr Tommy Guilfoyle (SF) has suggested that they invite IDA and Enterprise Ireland to give a presentation to Councillors and Council Management about attracting new employers to Clare.
This motion comes as a result of the departure of Roche from Clarecastle and the reduction in operations at Moneypoint in Kilrush. “It is imperative that we endeavour to bring substantial, high-quality employment opportunities to the County,” he added.
Guilfoyle asked in his motion, “We request that the Clare County Council provide a comprehensive update on the initiatives undertaken to attract a significant employer to County Clare.”
“Given the departure of Roche from Clarecastle and the reduction in operations at Moneypoint in Kilrush, it is imperative that we, in collaboration with the IDA and Enterprise Ireland, endeavour to bring substantial, high-quality employment opportunities to the County.”
“To strengthen this very important relationship, we request the Council to invite the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to give a presentation in the Council Chamber to County Councillors and Council Management.”
IDA is Ireland’s Foreign Direct Investment Agency, helping multinational companies grow and expand into Ireland, while Enterprise Ireland supports Irish-owned companies on their journey to expanding their global footprint.
Over the Christmas period, Guilfoyle recalled speaking to many locals who were interested in new jobs or pay rises. He claimed that with regard to employment opportunities, Clare is “falling behind Galway and Limerick,” to which Cllr Dinny Gould (IND) agreed, adding, “we’re completely starved of it.” Guilfoyle therefore declared that the Council should “put everything behind quality sustainable jobs.”
Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) stated that IDA were welcome to see what Clare needs to do to improve employer opportunities, instead of “banging our heads against the wall.” He asked, “What are the targets? What are we missing? Is it related to housing? The Investment Plan?”
Guilfoyle added that housing is a major factor prohibiting industrial workers. “We need to put an emphasis on that,” he said.
With plenty of land around Ennis, Gould continued, “we should be looking” for employers to set up business. “We need to engage with successful people,” added Garrihy. Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) mentioned a factory in Athenry that he frequently drives by and suggested, “Is it possible to attract a factory in Clare?”
Director of Finance, Investment and Enterprise, Noleen Fitzgerald, highlighted Shannon Airport’s “business boom” and growing pharmaceutical success. “It’s not that it’s not happening,” she said, but Gould pointed out that if Shannon were not part of Clare, locals would travel there to work instead.
Cllr Michael Shannon (FF) said that whether it’s a pharmaceutical company, biomedical company, or other, “What we have is here for a long time and is successful. We just need to attract more.”
“It’s good to see finger on the pulse,” said Guilfoyle. “I will be delighted to sit down with IDA.”
