Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)

I thank the Minister for his reply. I have had numerous replies from the Minister in this regard as I have raised the issue consistently. As for the 27 acre park, it is disgraceful that the IDA still lacks a site, premises or business park that can be marketed, sold or exhibited to potential investors. This is a scandal and marks a Government failure. In the past nine years,Ballina has lost 1,340 jobs and only 400 replacement jobs have been created, which constitutes a net loss of nearly 1,000 jobs. I can only describe this as a mortal blow.

Ballina is an unemployment black spot. Although the Minister cited an unemployment rate of 4%, the rate stands at 11% in Ballina, which is twice the national average.

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