Concern over lack of job creation in West Cork

WORRYING employment and migration figures have emerged in the south-west corner of the country, fuelling concern that the region is in economic free-fall.

Statistics released by the CSO showed the numbers of people signing on the live register in Bantry, Bandon, Clonakilty and Skibbereen were all up last month in comparison with March 2005.

There were nearly 130 more people signing on in these areas compared to the corresponding month last year.

In contrast, the numbers signing on in Cork city fell by more than 500 while they were down by more than 100 in Midleton and nearly 100 in Carrigaline. They were also down, but to a far lesser extent, in Macroom, Kinsale and Fermoy.

The figures appear to confirm what many politicians in West Cork have repeatedly claimed — that far more jobs are being created in Cork city, its suburbs and east Cork than anywhere else in the county.

The mayor of Cork county, Councillor John O’Shea, said that there was a lack of interest by the Government to create jobs in the region.

“The figures bear this out. The region is haemorrhaging its youth.

“They are moving to larger cities and towns to find work because there is none in West Cork. That is why the population is also falling. It’s a double-edged sword,” the mayor said.

Mr O’Shea (FG) added that the county council had written to Minister for Enterprise Micheál Martin urging him to take measures to attract more industry into the region, but had not received any reply.

“I know of entire families who have left the area to seek employment in Cork or Dublin.

“West Cork is as big as many of the smaller counties, yet there is no agency actively promoting industry in the area. The IDA isn’t doing it,” the Bantry-based mayor added.

A few months ago Fianna Fáil Councillor Danny Crowley, who lives in Adrigole, highlighted the falling levels of population in a number of rural communities in West Cork, especially on the peninsulas. At the time, he said the worrying trend was down to a lack of employment and proper infrastructure in the area.

Yesterday, Mr Crowley said that the rise in unemployment in the region, compared to the rest of Co Cork, underpinned the need to act fast.

“Given the way the live register figures are running, there seems to be a lack of job creation locally. The county council has been trying to get the IDA to encourage new industry to set up in the region, but unfortunately they haven’t done so.

“Without the West Cork Community Partnership and the West Cork Enterprise Board, we’d be in real trouble,” he said.