Donegal North East TD, Sinn Féin’s Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has challenged the government on increased unemployment and emigration since they came to power.
Deputy Mac Lochlainn said that Donegal had been worse hit than any other county with over one in four workers unemployed.
In some Donegal parishes, unemployment is almost 40%, he said.
He was speaking after challenging the Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Richard Bruton in the Dáil to outline the government’s plan for job creation in Donegal.
Deputy Mac Lochlainn said “It is clear that government job creation policy has been an epic failure in Donegal.
“Since taking office, this government has continued the historic neglect of Donegal. They pulled funding for the Donegal to Dublin A5 dual-carriageway.
“They removed funding for the Derry to Dublin air route.
“They actually considered closing the one IDA office in the county in Letterkenny and most importantly of all, they have absolutely failed to address the unemployment crisis in our county.
“When I asked the Minister for his plan for Donegal, it is clear to all that he doesn’t have one”.
In February, after a year in office, the Government unveiled a national Action Plan for Jobs with the Taoiseach stating that it would create an additional 100,000 jobs.
Outlining the plan, the Taoiseach said, ‘It is the all-consuming obsession of every cabinet minister at a time when we have never seen more people unemployed… There will be no rest until we create opportunities for everyone who wants to work.’
However the Donegal Sinn Fein Deputy blasted “This plan is not working.
“In the last year 33,400 jobs have been lost and 87,000 people have emigrated. Donegal has been worst hit in this regard.
“We need a significant stimulus package to create jobs. There is considerable wealth in this state and we need to put it to work on behalf of the Irish people”.
“The billion euro given to bondholders this week should have been put towards job creation.
“Sinn Féin’s has outlined, time and time again, our alternative countercyclical policies. The government need to implement these policies, rather than condemn more of our young people to emigration.”
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