Ireland’s economic success will be used to improve life for all in society – Heydon

Fine Gael TD for Kildare South, Martin Heydon, has today (Tuesday), said that as Ireland’s recovering economy continues apace, it will be used to make life better for everyone in society, across all regions of Ireland.

“The Irish economic success story continues apace, as evidenced by two pieces of good news this week.

“Today the CSO has reported that the unemployment rate has dropped again this month to 7.8%, down from 9.6% this time last year, and over 15.1% at its peak back in early 2011. We are a long way from the days of lengthy dole queues and young people emigrating in their droves, just a few short years ago.

“It is crucial we ensure this recovery continues and Ireland’s competitiveness is key to that. We learned this week that Ireland’s IMD competitiveness ranking has increased to 7th, up from 24th when Fine Gael went into Government in 2011. The new Government has made strong commitments on increasing capital investment on new infrastructure and this should help boost our rating into the future.

“It is now the responsibility of the Government to ensure that this economic success story is used to make life better for everyone in society, across all regions of Ireland.

“This is not just a Dublin based recovery as some would have you believe. Unemployment has decreased in every region of the country in the last 12 months and the Government is working to ensure that continues.

“This is not the ‘rising tide lifts all boats’ approach of the Celtic Tiger era, which frankly did not work. We have specific plans to spread the economic recovery to all corners of Ireland. The Programme for Government makes strong commitments to prioritise balanced regional development, including the implementation of regional jobs plans, which will allow us to aim for an unemployment rate in each county that is within one percent of the State average by 2020.

“Fine Gael, in Government, has prioritised getting people working, which means more resources for the State to invest in better services for the benefit of everyone. A strong economy can deliver a just and fair society, which will allow communities to thrive, throughout both urban and rural Ireland.”