Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Under the heading "Regional Spread of Growth and Jobs" on page 41, the programme for Government reads: "We will implement regional jobs plans, with local input, to help spread growth to all areas. The aim of these strategies will be to encourage agencies and companies to work together and build on the competitive strengths of each region." This week in my constituency of Tipperary, 11 local companies have lost their contracts with the Garda College in Templemore due to the Government's change of policy on tendering. This is just another example of the Government's disregard for rural Ireland and job creation in rural areas. The contracts were vital for the viability of the 11 local companies. The Government's decision is putting all of them in jeopardy.

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