I’ll be attending today’s launch of the Government’s Mid-West Action plan, where the target of an extra 23,000 jobs by 2020 for this region across a range of sectors is being launched.

 

This new announcement, containing 150 separate actions, is a shot in the arm for the good progress made in the region in recent years.

 

This specific regional jobs plan for the Mid-West follows on from the National Action plan for jobs.

 

I very much welcome the publication of this specific jobs plan for the Mid-West and County Clare.

 

I have long lobbied and canvassed my Government colleagues for specific supports for this region, so that the growth being felt in other parts of the country can be fully realised here in County Clare also.

 

This is a strong endorsement for the region. It outlines 150 specific actions and has a target of 23,000 new jobs by 2020 for the region. There is a strong focus on areas such as science, tourism and aviation, and this plays to some of our key strengths here in County Clare.

Already we are seeing jobs announcements on a regular basis here, such as the success of Beckman Coulter in O’Callaghan’s Mills and the Shannon Group’s investment in the Shannon Free Zone.

 

The €21 million first-phase of this project is taking place over the next two years, and will support more than 250 construction related jobs. It includes the redevelopment of a 12-acre site in the Shannon Free Zone. As part of the initial phase of development on this site,

two projects are planned at a combined cost of in excess €10 million. These include a 40,000 square foot Grade A office block and a 30,000 square foot advance technology manufacturing unit.

 

Work on the 12 acre site has already begun with the demolition of three former manufacturing buildings of approximately 300,000 square foot and planning applications for the two new buildings due to be submitted shortly.

 

When completed I have no doubt that both of these facilities will generate jobs in Shannon.

 

Some of the specific actions included in the plan announced today include the following:-

– IDA is aiming for a 30% to 40% uplift in projects by 2020, to a total of 66 investments

 

– Increase by 25% the number of start-ups in the region

 

– Enterprise Ireland to have a specific competitive Feasibility fund for start-ups.

 

– Grow Tourist figures in the region to 1.25 million by 2025 and employment in the sector by 25% to

2025

 

– strengthen the important sectorial clusters in the region of Aviation, Life-sciences,  Engineering and Internationally traded services.

 

This plans show that Government is committed to securing the recovery here in County Clare and the Mid-West by the continued creation of new jobs. I fully endorse this plan, and believe it will have a significant impact on job creation here in County Clare, at a time when the numbers on the Live Register in the county have fallen month on month for well over two years.