Ballina unemployment

Ballina being presented as ‘black hole’

Áine Ryan

LIES have been told by parties involved in the protracted debacle over Ballina’s proposed business park, according to Deputy Dara Calleary, who intends to raise the matter in the Dáil when it resumes. He was speaking to The Mayo News yesterday (Monday) in light of the north Mayo capital’s shocking unemployment statistics, published last week by the Central Statistics Office (CSO). They revealed the town is the country’s top unemployment blackspot – with 15.8 per cent of its workforce out of work – in the category of towns with a population of 10,000+.
“I’m applying to have the situation brought up at the adjournment debate when the Dáil reconvenes in a fortnight and I intend bringing the subject up every week for the term until I get satisfaction from the minister [Micheál Martin],” said Deputy Calleary.
In a dramatic revelation a fortnight ago, The Mayo News reported that the controversial site for the proposed IDA park was, in fact, still in the name of a man who died in 1983, Mr Edward Molloy, and not in the names of either Mayo County Council or the IDA.
Following questions by The Mayo News last Friday, Deputy Calleary contacted the IDA, whose response was that ‘they were very concerned’ the issue be resolved imminently.
“We’ve been told consistently that the matter was resolved. It seems now as if we’ve been told lies,” said Deputy Calleary.
Cllr Michelle Mulherin said the figures were ‘very shocking and not surprising’, adding that the the town was clearly ‘economically depressed’.
“No matter what adjustments may have to be made to the figure of 15.8 per cent, they still look stark in comparison to the average national unemployment rate for the last quarter of 2006, which was 4.3 per cent,” she said.   
Regarding the business park, Cllr Mulherin observed there was ‘no shortage of land in the town’ but questioned the IDA’s commitment to the area.
“They haven’t been in the town since the election. No matter how people spin the [unemployment] figures, it is the authority’s remit to create a climate for investment,” she said. She was referring to a rider to the statistic which allowed for an adjustment.
Meanwhile, CEO of Ballina Chamber of Commerce, Ms Louise McDonnell, challenged the reflectiveness of the CSO figures, claiming they may include areas outside the town boundary.
“I definitely have an issue with Ballina being presented as a black hole. Look at recent investment in the town, and the new jobs created at Ballina Beverages, one of Coca Cola’s flagship operations worldwide. This is testament to the productivity, quality of the workforce, its low cost base and competitiveness. The recently-opened Penneys on the Main Street is the sixth largest outlet in the country and we’ve three new hotels,” she said.
Referring to the business park controversy, she added: “At this stage I just want the IDA to deliver. I don’t care where they situate it.”