Lifeline for city’s disadvantaged youths

A LIMERICK man who created a hugely successful multimillion-euro business while unemployed is planning to open up opportunities for young people living in disadvantaged parts of the city.

Ray O’Halloran, who employs 32 people in his steel fabrication business, has been given planning permission by Limerick City Council for a massive youth training facility near Moyross.

He has commenced talks with the Northside Regeneration Agency which is overseeing the total redevelopment of Moyross and St Mary’s Park.

The €2.2 million facility is planned for a site at Knockalisheen Road near to where his Speedline Engineering company is based.

It is proposed to build 14 units in the 2,400sq ft building where it is planned to train 80 young people who want to pursue trade skills rather than academic subjects.

Mr O’Halloran revealed he got the idea in Glasgow where a similar project has been described as the most successful in Europe.

“In my time, you could go on to be an apprentice if you didn’t do the Leaving Cert. Before I started my own business, I was out of work and now I have kids coming up to me looking for work all the time and I have nothing for them. It grieves me that they have nothing to go to. You save a life by giving employment to someone and you give them skills for life and a sense of identity,” he said.

In the event of the regeneration agency getting involved, it is envisaged the agency would take on a lease of part of the training complex.

Mr O’Halloran said if all goes to plan, construction work could commence in October and the first trainees taken on as early as next March.