It’s claimed a number of relatively quick fix solutions can be taken by the next Government to address regional imbalance.
It follows warnings from both IBEC and Shannon Chamber that failure to address Dublin centric investment will result in chaos for the regions, particularly the Midwest.
IBEC is warning that Ireland is more reliant on it’s capital city, than any other country in Europe, and is calling on the Government to take significant steps to ensure growth outside of Dublin.
The group which represents Irish businesses is warning that unless the government invests in the likes of housing, education, transport, broadband and health, particularly in areas outside of the capital, a regional imbalance will continue.
A Shannon Chamber Director is now echoing that sentiment, saying that there will be “chaos” if imbalanced regional development isn’t urgently addressed.
Kevin Thompstone, who formerly worked with IBEC, says there’s huge potential to be unlocked in the Shannon region, if the necessary steps are taken now:
Former Clare TD Michael McNamara, who’s running as an Independent in the general election says it’s clear that all economic activity is being driven into Dublin to the detriment of the Midwest.
In the first half of 2019, there were 164 IDA site visits by potential investors to companies in Dublin, 34 in Limerick and 17 in Clare.
Michael McNamara has described this as unacceptable, particularly given the number of job losses in this county recent months. He says there are some relatively quick fixes to regional imbalance.
