Local Election 2014: Tackling Unemployment

Here’s what local candidates from Ashbourne have to say about tackling unemployment and increasing economic development.

Sharon Keogan(Independent) said that combating unemployment and getting people back to work is key for Ashbourne, and suggested that this issue could be tackled to some extent with the creation of a more entrepreneurial-friendly environment. “When it comes to creating jobs in County Meath, you have to be from a business background to drive this forward. I am, and I understand how difficult it is in business to start off and come up paying commercial rates, water rates, etc.”

Suzanna Jamal (Fine Gael) also expressed her concerns, and said “In the boom times, Ashbourne was the fastest-growing town in Ireland … Now there are a lot of closed-up shop units, and one of my aims would be to encourage and bring business back.” Suzanna is a Director of the Meath Enterprise Board. “We have tried to do a lot of work in encouraging young students into the world of business via local business hubs, trying to get those retail outlets open again.”

Joe Bonner (Independent), said: “I will strive to halt the steady exodus of our young people from the Ashbourne area by attracting employment to the area. Ashbourne in general is an excellent location for a major corporation due to its proximity to the airport, seaport, and capital city, and it also has a good road network and access to a well-educated workforce.”

Alan Tobin (Fine Gael), said: “We are in the unique position that we have an un-tolled motorway, we are 15 minutes from Dublin Airport, and we are on one of the quickest routes down into Dublin port via the tunnel. However, we haven’t attracted big industry into the area yet. We have been bypassed by the IDA – they aren’t interested in us here, but it is up to us to market this town and to get business into Ashbourne. We need high-speed internet access in the town – we aren’t one of the designated towns for that yet but it is coming, and again we need to promote ourselves to get that.”
Tobin added that shopping local helps. “I spearheaded the shop local campaign on numerous occasions. Everybody who knows me knows that I shop local, I employ locally, and I do all my sports, etc. locally.”

Darren O’Rourke (Sinn Fein) said: “Ashbourne has been overlooked in terms of jobs investment. It is the second-largest town in Meath and very strategically located beside road, rail, sea, and air transport networks. Almost 1.5 million people live within 45 minutes of the town. Job creation must be a central priority for local and national government.”