IDA urged to up ante in attracting jobs to West Cork ‘outback’

IDA Ireland has been accused of almost reducing West Cork to an “outback”, in its alleged failure to bring jobs to the coastal region.

Most of the area’s councillors rounded on the state agency for its failure to attract foreign investment and industry. Councillors from all main parties, along with independents, highlighted concerns about a migration crisis in West Cork due to a lack of jobs.

Elected representatives issued an invite to IDA Ireland representatives to address issues with them, in County Hall. Several county councillors insisted IDA Ireland “had no interest in bringing industries to West Cork”. However, they did accept IDA Ireland recently sought a site to be rezoned in Skibbereen to accommodate a proposed new plastics manufacturing project.