Coffey calls on South East Region to be designated for EU Regional Aid

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has called for Ireland’s South East Region to be included in the Regional Aid Map under the new EU Regional Aid Guidelines which were published in June. Deputy Coffey said that this could further help the economic recovery in the South East given the economic circumstances and challenges facing the region.

Deputy Coffey has written to An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD, and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, requesting that an application be made to the European Commission by the Irish Government based on the need for assistance in the region.

“The South East Region has suffered more than most during the economic downturn and has the highest unemployment rate in the State. In Waterford, which is the gateway for the region, there were more than 3,000 headline job losses in the years between 2007 and 2012. Efforts have been made recently to improve the economic situation in the South East and we are beginning to see some progress.

“However, I believe that the South East could benefit from the new EU aid guidelines that were published at the end of June this year. The Government has until the summer of 2014 to make this application to the European Commission and seek its approval. That is why I am calling on Minister Bruton to commence this application as soon as possible.

“I have also written to the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD, ahead of Budget 2014 requesting that his department considers specific policy initiatives that would assist Waterford City, given the tough economic challenges it is encountering at the moment. Although progress has been made on the tourism front, with the development of the Viking Triangle and all that it has to offer, further progress is needed to help the city centre and job creation prospects for the area.

“An extension of city centre tax break initiatives to incentivise new business, further progress on the South East Technological University and new capital investment initiatives would help stimulate the city’s economy and kick-start job creation again. In the interest of stimulating growth in the region, the Government must look at implementing specific measures to assist Waterford City to enable businesses to expand and develop.

“We must always look at attracting supports for the region. EU Regional Aid has the potential to assist Waterford and the South East significantly and I am hopeful that Minister Bruton and the Government will accede to my request to make this application sooner rather than later.”
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