Minister for Finance visits County Limerick

Jul 3, 2018

The Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Patrick O’Donovan has said that continuing economic recovery will have further benefits for Limerick and the Mid-West. The Limerick Minister was speaking after a visit by the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe TD to Co. Limerick. Patrick O’Donovan said “Since 2011 the Government set out on a program that involved steps been taken in a number of areas. Each one of these was strategic, and each one has worked. This has resulted in more people at work in Ireland today than ever before, our unemployment rate falling from 16% in 2011 to just over 5% now.”

Patrick O’Donovan said that he brought his colleague to Co. Limerick to show the potential in rural areas, in villages and towns for further economic and community development, and to also show examples of Government investment in the Limerick County constituency.

“This was an opportunity for Paschal to see just some of what we in Co. Limerick have to offer. We saw at first hand examples of the impact that farming has, not only to the farming families, but to the wider community. We got to visit a day care centre and community creche in Broadford which caters for a large number of people, we saw how the Kantoher Development Group have led the revival of their community in the aftermath the closure of the processing plant, and we met with the Development Association in Newcastle West, who are an example of what joined up thinking can do for our rural towns.”

“I wanted Paschal to see the potential of the recently announced €1Billion rural development fund that is contained in Project Ireland 2040, the National Development Program. I wanted to use the opportunity to encourage him to push forward the investment in our rural areas, villages and towns. By leading Government investment in infrastructure, facilities, amenities, roads, schools and other projects we will make our communities even more attractive places for people to live in and invest in.”

Patrick O’Donovan also arranged for Paschal Donohoe to meet with the Management of Limerick City and County Council and the Fine Gael Councillors. “I explained to him what the Council has led in terms of the development of Limerick City, and I showed him how this can be used as an example of renewal across Co Limerick and in every other part of the Country.”

“Now that the Summer Economic Statement is published and the National Economic Dialogue is over, we can begin the process of preparation for Budget 2019. That’s why this visit was so important. I wanted to show Paschal what we can achieve in rural areas with existing, and increased, Government investment. Naturally I’ll use my position in the Department to continue to press for that.”

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