Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)

I am very grateful for the opportunity to speak on the need for individual jobs plans for all regions of the country. The recent announcement on the loss of almost 600 jobs at TalkTalk in Waterford was a devastating blow to the south east, and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the Government have responded decisively by announcing the formulation of the south-east employment action plan. Once complete, this plan will act as a roadmap for tackling unemployment in that region, as it is clear from the statistics that there is a grave problem in the south east.

Given that there are almost 500,000 people on the live register nationwide, there is a clear need for jobs plans specific to every region of the State, focusing on the respective strengths and opportunities of each region. I also envisage such plans identifying particular difficulties for existing large employers and key sectors in each region, with recommendations on how to ease such difficulties before they become irresolvable and threaten existing employment. Perhaps the south-east plan, when complete, could be used as a template in the formulation of a plan for each region. We need correct national policy to help create an environment for job creation and sustainability. While I acknowledge that the Minister has taken numerous measures in this regard, we must also focus on the unemployment problem on a regional basis in tandem with the national policy effort.

For example, looking at the south west, where I am a Deputy for Kerry South, many constituents have identified to me sectors and projects that need to be prioritised by the Government as having real employment prospects. Almost 17,000 people are on the live register in County Kerry alone. A targeted plan that would identify key priority projects could lead to a considerable reduction in this figure. I wish to refer briefly to some examples that have been mentioned to me in County Kerry. There should be a determined focus on promoting winter tourism in County Kerry, similar to the Scottish Tourist Board's drive, which could extend the tourism season and its benefits to a year round basis, creating hundreds of extra jobs. A cut in the rate of VAT on beer kegs and tax reliefs for expenditure on customers' taxis for rural publicans would help revive a labour intensive sector of the economy that has been in decline for some time. If every rural pub in County Kerry took on one extra employee, that would create hundreds of jobs. I refer to kegs only because one cannot buy kegs in an off-licence, and the off-licence sector is eating into the labour intensive on-sales industry. Fishermen in Dingle tell me that 50 jobs at sea would be created in Dingle alone by the return of spurdog fishing, and a continued drive to attract foreign vessels to process their catches in Dingle could create many more jobs. The development of a world class links golf course at Inch could create a large number of full time jobs in an area with poor job prospects at present. The identification of Kerry as a priority county for the reduction of commercial rates, given that Kerry County Council's multiplier is by far the highest in the country, would help employment in the county. Surely GPCE and Shannon LNG would feature prominently in such a plan for the south west, as would emphasis on agrifoods and renewable energy.

While it is not possible to elaborate fully in only four minutes on the many other job creation opportunities available in County Kerry, I have cited these examples to show that every other county and region has similar projects and possibilities which need to be helped along and brought to fruition. I am sure every Deputy could cite countless similar examples of areas in which real jobs could be created.

On possible events, it has been suggested to me that major global sports events such as the Tour de France and the Ryder Cup should be targeted by the Government with a view to having them return to Ireland. Having hosted these events before, we could do so again. They provide an excellent opportunity to showcase the country internationally and generate substantial revenue immediately. Moreover, they would fit into a jobs plan for any region.

A massive task lies ahead. Not only must we get those on the live register back to work, but we must create thousands of jobs to allow the return of those who have been forced to leave Ireland in search of work. A multi-agency, focused effort which takes the best suggestions and ideas from the grassroots is badly lacking. I hope this matter will be given serious consideration by the Government.

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