Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister will be aware that one of the most accurate indicators of deprivation according to population statistics comes from the national census of population, as represented by the Pobal HP deprivation index. Variables used in the compilation of the HP index include those related to demographic growth, dependency ratios, education levels, single parenthood, overcrowding, social class, occupation and unemployment.

Figures can be dressed up any way we like. However, Tipperary town and its environs are in a sad place. It has very proud people, wonderful entrepreneurs and a wonderful workforce but they are not getting the opportunity. The Minister can throw us into the mix of the whole mid-west region and come up with what figures she wants. However, according to the Pobal index, the overall male unemployment rate in north Tipperary stands at 14.5% while the figure is 14.2% in south Tipperary. In the south of the county, according to the latest data for semi-skilled and unskilled classes, unemployment for this group stands at 23.7%. Five years prior to that, in 2011, it stood at 23.9% so it reduced by just 0.2% in five years, no matter what way the Minister wants to dress up the figures.

We need serious efforts by IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and others to bring industry to Tipperary town and its environs. It is not fair to throw them into the mix, as the Minister did glowingly. I ask her to come to visit the town to see the situation at first hand.

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