Public services ‘must deliver value for money’

“IF I was running my business like the public sector is being managed, I would be out of business,” IBEC Mid-West regional president, Liam Ryan, declared yesterday.

Speaking at the launching of a major business report “A Business Perspective on the Way Forward for the Mid-West” in Limerick, he called for value for money from the public services in their dealings with business and industry in the region.

“This region must focus on business competitiveness as the tool for retaining and enhancing employment in the region.

“The reality is that my business would not survive if I ran it the way the public sector is being managed.

“Business has to deal with severe competition in the global marketplace. The managing authorities in this region must reflect this new reality. Public services must deliver value for money,” he said.

A key concern is the dearth of foreign direct investment attracted to the region over the last five years relative to other parts of the region, the conference heard.

Adrian Beatty, IBEC Mid-West regional director, revealed over 1,600 jobs have been lost in the region in the past year which are not being replaced by large-scale foreign direct investment.

“The Government must commit the necessary resources to developing our key economic drivers.”