Martin Daly (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)

Ballinasloe is a proud town in the heart of Ireland, just off the M6, with huge untapped potential. Once home to major employers like Dubarry, Square D and A.T. Cross, Pobal and DEIS data now identify severe deprivation in the town, with intergenerational unemployment and educational inequality. Scoil an Chroí Naofa is waiting 20 years for redevelopment. Garbally College urgently needs refurbishment notwithstanding its imminent amalgamation with Ardscoil Mhuire.

Yet, Ballinasloe's spirit endures. Local businesses, clubs and groups like Ballinasloe Area Community Development, Youthreach and Ballinasloe Social Services work tirelessly, despite long-standing disadvantage. Will the Government commit to examine the case for a multi-agency task force across education, housing, youth and enterprise to tackle the chronic social deprivation that has affected Ballinasloe and made it one of the most deprived areas in the country?

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