Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)

It appears from the Minister's reply that he can tell us what is happening everywhere except in Carrick-on-Suir. He has told us the position in south Tipperary and in the south east generally. It seems the Minister will not accept that a persistently high level of unemployment in the town of Carrick-on-Suir is serious or indicates a crisis. Since the Government came to power in 1997, an unemployment problem of this magnitude has existed in Carrick-on-Suir. It is a town of 5,000 people with more than 900 unemployed. That represents an unemployment rate of close to 20%, close to four times the national average — a million miles away from 5.6%, or indeed 6.2%, in the south east. Does the Minister accept that this is a serious situation and that regardless of whatever has happened in the south east or in south Tipperary, a particular problem regarding unemployment and job creation exists in Carrick-on-Suir? As Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Minister has a responsibility to ensure that every area gets its fair share of investment and job creation. As Carrick-on-Suir has persisted as a blackspot area in this regard, would it be opportune for the Minister to establish a task force for the town to ensure that it avails of job creation and investment?

See this speech in context