Tánaiste Joan Burton.
TÁNAISTE Joan Burton has been told that hundreds of jobs would be created in Tralee if the Government introduced a grant scheme to regenerate former industrial areas in the town.
At a meeting with the Board of Tralee Chamber Alliance yesterday, Joan Burton heard that one company had planned to create up to 100 new jobs in Tralee but because of a lack of available space it was forced to look elsewhere.
“We told the Tánaiste that companies have started to express an interest in creating jobs in Tralee but, with the Kerry Technology Park at capacity, the opportunities are being lost,” said President of Tralee Chamber Alliance, Pádraig McGillicuddy.
“Employment space could be made available in the short term with the introduction of an industrial renovation scheme to transform or replace derelict sites in Clash. A stimulation programme would also help fund the completion of town centre office units which fell victim to the recession,” he said.
Joan Burton said that on previous visits to Tralee she had noticed the empty sites in town and she raised the matter with a number of top level officials including fellow Ministers Brendan Howlin and Jed Nash and the CEO of IDA, Kerry-native Martin Shanahan.
She said she hoped that the launched Regional Employment Strategy would identify Tralee as a suitable location for the creation of jobs in the Financial Services, Medical Technology and the expanding agricultural sectors.
The Tánaiste invited Tralee Chamber Alliance to put forward a list of strengths that may lead to the development of jobs and she said that she would be happy work with and support Tralee Chamber Alliance in this regard.
The meeting with the Minister for Social and Family Protection was organised by North Kerry TD Arthur Spring who supported the Tralee Chamber Alliance’s proposal to introduce incentives that would bring jobs to Tralee without delay.
“Tralee Chamber Alliance will play its part in the effort to get local people back to work and assist prospective employers who wish to invest in a town that is determined to succeed,” said Pádraig McGillicuddy.
