Cllr. Orla Leyden said that the IDA cannot keep ignoring the needs of County Roscommon. She said that the County is crying out for investment and job creation yet it is being ignored by the Fine Gael government and the IDA.
Most recent figures show that the IDA Ireland paid out grants of €89,326,201 in 2012 and yet County Roscommon received only €13,098. Meanwhile adjoining counties received funding of from €347,378 to €12,252,609 in 2012. Cllr. Orla Leyden asked how can County Roscommon recover economically if it is being starved of investment.
As the IDA plans its strategy for 2014, it is crucial that the Government now takes the need for regional fairness seriously and targets job creation in County Roscommon.
It’s proven that when the IDA focuses on investment in a certain area, that area benefits from job creation. The infrastructure network is excellent and with a highly educated potential workforce from Roscommon. In 2004 the IDA completed a €2 million upgrade to the Business & Technology Park on the Racecourse Road to bring the Park to Flagship Status within the IDA Property Portfolio and that there was no excuse that this park which has 7 HA (c. 17 acres) is not being used by government to bring foreign direct investment to Roscommon. It is a fantastic park that has been designed and landscaped to a high standard including a services infrastructure to suit both manufacturing and international services sectors. The county has all the ingredients for Foreign Direct Investment. The Government and IDA need to prioritise Roscommon for Foreign Direct investment
Cllr. Leyden concluded by saying that she is challenging the Fine Gael Government and the Government T.D. Frank Feighan to deliver employment to Roscommon and ensure IDA investment and job creation in the County. IDA job creation in Roscommon has to move beyond Monksland, the rest of the County is crying out for investment.