Dáil debates

Thursday, 3 June 2021

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions

Digital Hubs

9:50 am

Photo of James O'ConnorJames O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Troy, for his co-operation and above all for his interest. It is great that he will be meeting representatives from the town's enterprise and business sectors.

I will put this in context. Youghal is a town that suffered greatly from the loss of manufacturing jobs towards the start of the Celtic tiger, unfortunately. There were 4,000 people working in Youghal in the 1980s and 1990s in manufacturing and low-skill labour. Many of those jobs were let go because people were working in areas like textiles. Unfortunately, we never saw any real direct State support going to Youghal following those job losses, which is completely unacceptable. As the Minister of State can imagine, the loss of jobs to that extent in a small town in rural Ireland decimated the local economy. Youghal is on the up. A remote working centre for this town is something our Government should look at providing for the people of Youghal. It is the least they deserve.

I wish to use this opportunity to call for IDA Ireland to take a greater interest in Youghal. There are many opportunities to invest in the region and plenty of free space. We should definitely do it.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.