The Chief Executive of the Industrial Development Authority will ‘visit Laois over the next couple of months’, it has been revealed.
Martin Shanahan will come to the O’Moore County for a meeting with public representatives just months after a report highlight a complete neglect of Laois by the IDA.
According to figures discovered by Sinn Finn TD Brian Stanley back in May, Laois was at the bottom of the list for net new jobs created by the IDA nationally during the last two years.
The Sinn Fein deputy revealed that out of 39,609 jobs created nationally in the last two years, just 28 of those came to Laois.
Speaking at the time, he said: “Out of a total of 39,609 net new jobs created nationally during 2015 and 2016 just 28, or 0.07%, came to Laois.
“In contrast Kildare gained 1,140 extra new jobs over the same period. Only Leitrim fared worse than Laois over the two year period.
“Even if we exclude Dublin from the figures, Laois still gained only 0.13% of the net new jobs and this trend has continued for many years with no improvement.
“The dismal record of the IDA in Co. Laois for 2015 and 2016 is not a once off occurrence. This is consistent with their record in attracting inward investment to Laois over the past 2 decades.”
At Wednesday’s meeting of the Portlaoise Municipal District, Cllr Jerry Lodge requested an urgent meeting with the IDA regarding the lack of industrial development.
But Director of Services Kieran Kehoe said: “Laois County Council have been informed that the IDA Chief Executive will be attending a meeting in Laois over the next couple of months.”
Cllr Lodge welcomed this and said that he and his fellow Councillors looked forward to hearing if any progress had been made by the IDA on bringing in jobs to Laois.
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