Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I am glad to have the opportunity to raise some issues that are important and I will be parochial in stating them. When the budget was announced and now when I read the Finance Bill I am struck by the lack of a stimulus package for the economy, and particularly for the significant number of unemployed people, who now number approximately 450,000. In south Tipperary alone, 8,514 people are unemployed. Cahir has 1,200 unemployed people, Carrick-on-Suir has 2,339, Cashel has 1,100, Clonmel has 2,479 and Tipperary town has 1,635. I want to highlight the benefit a jobs stimulus package could bring to an area like Tipperary town.

Several small businesses are under pressure and closing down. Tipperary town has been severely affected by the closure of Dell. In recent years, not a single IDA Ireland job has come to that area despite having an upmarket, top-class and well laid out advance factory. No jobs have been created there despite what happened with Dell and how it affected a great number of people in that area. I had hoped the budget would include a stimulus package for the small businesses, the many young people with ideas and the many young people in the Tipperary town area who are unemployed following the closure of Dell. A stimulus package would have a very positive impact in that area.

The country cannot come out of its difficulties unless we bring confidence back into the economy. Deputy Browne spoke about the money in credit unions and banks. This is because people have no confidence about spending money. They are all minding their money and very careful about where they are spending it because they have no confidence in the future. Fine Gael has outlined the many jobs a stimulus package could create in the environmental, renewable energy and other areas. The Government has completely ignored all the advice it has been given on a good stimulus package.

On the other hand, the banks that should be lending money to small businesses are not making overdraft facilities available. They are not allowing people the capital to run their businesses. On a weekly basis I hear from businesspeople who are not getting funding to the same extent as in previous years to allow their businesses to carry on and, in some cases, expand. When people talk about how badly the economy is doing and the issues affecting it, I often wonder what ideas the Government has on creating jobs. What ideas does it have for the 8,500 unemployed people in south Tipperary? There is no good idea or leadership coming from the Government. There are real opportunities to create jobs in many areas, including in the tourism industry. Last week, I spoke about the potential to create jobs in the fishing industry using our lakes and rivers.

I refer to existing jobs that are under pressure. Golf clubs provide employment to approximately 4,000 people. There is an unfair situation regarding VAT. There are ordinary old-style, community-based golf clubs which associations own, but private golf clubs are at a very severe disadvantage. Some of them are in the constituency of the Minister of State, Deputy Tony Killeen, and some are in mine. I believe there are three, if not four, of them in south Tipperary and they are at a major disadvantage. This is only a small way but they are great job creators. However, they are under great pressure because of the weather we have had - the significant difficulties last summer and the summer before then. They have also had to close down for week upon week in the winter. That is just one example of the many areas in which jobs could be protected and indeed created.

The Government should be far more realistic, should produce better ideas and give better leadership to the communities and the people who are anxious. A large number of people want to bring the economy from where it is and develop it. I call on the Government to wake up and help the people, and the people will respond.

See this speech in context