Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)

I asked if the Minister would accept there is a long-term and unacceptably high level of unemployment in Carrick-on-Suir, and whether a jobs task force consisting of high-profile heavy hitters is necessary to do something for employment in the town.

I plead with the Minister to set up such a jobs task force because the town has done its part over the last number of years. It has become involved in a series of local community endeavours. It is a fine town, well located in a good area and with a good tourism and road infrastructure. It is near ports in Waterford and Rosslare. Yet it is unfortunately an unemployment blackspot in the south east and south Tipperary.

It is very fine to state there are jobs in Clonmel, Waterford, Dungarvan, Limerick and elsewhere, but there are still levels of unemployment in Carrick-on-Suir that are absolutely unacceptable. The figure has remained effectively the same for ten or more years. Will the Minister establish a high-profile jobs task force for the town?

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