Mid-West Area Strategic Plan deems Ennis a ‘backwater’

ENNIS has been dismissed as a “backwater” in the Mid-West Area Strategic Plan (MWASP) in terms of the county capital’s future economic development, it has been claimed.
Councillor Johnny Flynn has described as “frightening” that the strategy sees Ennis’ potential for jobs as only being in domestic, traded services and tourism areas. He believes this could preclude other industries from deciding to locate to Ennis. 
He was speaking as he highlighted the unemployment “crisis” in Ennis at a meeting of councillors within the Ennis East electoral area this week.
However, calls by Councillor Flynn for the establishment of an Ennis and Environs Economic Task Force to be set up have been rejected.
At this week’s meeting, Councillor Flynn urged the taskforce be set up saying, “The situation is at a crisis stage, in 2002 we had 8% unemployment, now in 2012 its 14.5%. We have 4,000 extra people signing on in Ennis and the Environs and nearly two-thirds of those are inside the boundary of the town.”
He added the taskforce was needed to “urgently” lobby to address unemployment of over 6,000. He added that 6,000 new jobs would be needed in Ennis by 2020 to achieve targets of population growth. He said the taskforce would implement the actions of the Clare County Council Enterprise Strategy.
“There has been success in West Clare with their taskforce, this is an ideal opportunity for Ennis East and West to set up something similar,” he said.
Criticising the MWASP document, he said, “The strategy puts Ennis down as having the potential for jobs tourism, when there are 10 possible groupings for jobs. They have decided Ennis is a backwater. We need to move quickly. Because of the growth of the town, we have to have a target in place for Government for the creation of between 6,000 and 8,000 jobs by 2020.
“We need to do this before the new agency takes over the role of Shannon Development, Enterprise Ireland and the IDA. We need to have a clear wishlist for Ennis.”
Councillor Tommy Brennan stated at the meeting he supported the creation of jobs in Ennis, adding, “This is a job for the minister”. He suggested that Minister for Enterprise Richard Bruton be contacted.
“Jobs are being created all over the country and Ennis has not got one. I believe the minister has to do the job of creating jobs for all the country and not just specific places. We badly need jobs in Ennis. Something will have to be done, we have been left on the hind foot for many years. If there was a push on by Government then they could achieve jobs for County Clare and Ennis,” he said.
Councillor Pat Daly commented that Ennis is “very fortunate” to be so close to the Shannon Free Zone. He said councillors should be lobbying local TDs and the minister. “There are vacant properties in industrial estates in Ennis that could be used, we have to push on,” he said. He suggested a delegation go to the minister.
Councillor Sonny Scanlan agreed, “Our TDs should be doing something about this, it’s very frustrating for people out there who want to work”.
However, Councillor Flynn argued, “Traipsing up and down to the Government and lobbying ministers has not worked. We have been forgotten about and it will not be solved by lifting a phone and calling a TD.”
Director of Service and Ennis town manager Ger Dollard told the meeting the local authority has no control over national policy.
He outlined there are structures already in place focused on job creation in Ennis, saying he did not believe that another would be of benefit.
He commented, “There is already in place, through the Clare County Development Board, an Enterprise Partnership Forum, which comprises representatives at a senior level of all the main agencies involved in enterprise and economic development. As well as meeting in formal sessions on a regular basis, there is ongoing contact between the parties on specific issues. One of the main purposes of the Enterprise Partnership Forum is to focus on the implementation of the Clare County Enterprise Strategy.”
Mr Dollard stated the existing structure “works well and ensures a focus on Ennis, it being designated a hub town under the National Spatial Strategy. Through the Enterprise Partnership Forum, an initiative has been implemented whereby a Regional Innovation Centre, Ennis Innovate, has been established at the Information Age Park in Ennis.
“This innovative facility, based in Ennis town, is targeted at promoting and assisting enterprises, which ultimately will base themselves in Ennis and the wider county and create further employment in their specific area of activity. This initiative is financially supported by Ennis Town Council.”
He added the council also has a direct liaison in place with businesses located on the Gort Road Business Park to ensure the employment content at the Business Park can be maintained and expanded.
“A number of IDA-supported companies are located on the park. Through regular meetings, involving Shannon Development, Clare County Council and Ennis Town Council, issues on the park are addressed and the agencies assist in working with the companies involved on any expansion plans.
“It is my view that the structures already in place serve to provide a strong focus on Ennis and the creation of a further structure will only draw on the same agencies and individuals that are already working to progress economic development and enterprise initiatives for the benefit of Ennis and the wider area.”
Councillor Flynn’s motion was not passed. He commented he is “willing to work with anyone on job creation”.