Welcome
to the SLIGO & LEITRIM CONCERNS of
Gerry Reynolds MCC

Litter - there will be a pictorial feature completed with photos of present sites of dumping throughout Leitrim
Our Lady's Hospital - NWHB CEO Pat Harvey is meeting with Leitrim delegates about the possible development of Manorhamilton's Hospital
Dromod - Gerry has called on the Health Board to replace the existing dispensary when the sale goes through, with a new health centre
Rural Transport - a report has just been released into the state of rural transport. In a nutshell the report has actually found that most people regard rural transport as inadequate and at the recent health board it was noted that some people don't avail of medical treatment because they have no transport to take them to regional hospitals
Orthodontic services - the present consultant is retiring this year and as of yet, no replacement has been located. There is talk of those on the waiting list being seen by consultants in Northern Ireland as part of a cross border initiative but this has not yet been formalised.
Affordable Housing - The BIG issue for north Leitrim at the moment. Studies show that the average wage in the north west is only around €320 per week. This means that in a standard household with both parents working, the maximum loan amount would only be around €76,000. Average prices for a three bedroom home are around €102,000 making homes unaffordable for many couples.
Green Industry - There is a growing "green" movement in north Leitrim - organic farming, alternative power means etc. This is an area that would surely benefit the region if more funding was provided to people in the area. Better grants for those looking at Organic farming and perhaps, greater support for those looking at moving to organic methods of production.
and the people of North Leitrim should not be denied their basic right to proper health services any longer.

Fine Gael will moved to have the Dail condemn the Government for its abysmal failure to deliver vital services for the West of Ireland.

Fine Gael western development spokesman Gerry Reynolds TD today (Sunday) slammed the Government for leaving out a section of the main road artery to the West from the national development plan, and demanded that the Minister for the Environment use his powers to compel the National Roads Authority to develop it immediately.

"The Government must also clarify its proposals to provide natural gas expansion and broadband technology to the region, which is vital for job creation.

"The Government's neglect of the West must be rectified immediately by es tablishing a Cabinet sub committee, chaired by a Minister from the West to deliver vital services for Western counties," demanded Deputy Reynolds.

REPORT ON WEST A WAKE UP CALL TO
INACTIVE GOVERNEMENT - REYNOLDS.

Deputy Gerry Reynolds, Fine Gael Spokesman on Western Development has today
(Tuesday), welcomed the publication of a report by the Western Development Commission on the 'State of the West', and said that this report is a wake up call for the Government to stop ignoring the ever increasing regional divide being created as a result of Government mismanagement and a continued lack of investment into the region.

"The Report shows that despite some growth, most of the Western Region still lags far behind the rest of the country. Lack of investment in our road and rail networks, and weak power and telecommunications infrastructure are contributing to the West's increasing lack of competitiveness with the east and south.

With the National Development Plan running way behind schedule all throughout the country, the continued lack of rail and road access to the West is detrimental to industrial investment and the development of Tourism in the West." said Deputy Reynolds.

"Fine Gael is calling on the Government to start taking seriously the ever growing divide between east and west. What is needed is a package of measures that can kick start the West into gear." said Deputy Reynolds. Among Fine Gael's proposals include;

Front Load Capital Investment in road, rail and airport infrastructure for the Western Region.
Full unbundling of the local loop to give cheaper and faster access for the development of e-commerce in the region.
A Regional Development Department that would oversee balanced regional development throughout the Country.
Establishment of a University in Sligo.
Decentralisation of Government Departments to Provincial towns.
The urgent provision of a proper electricity and gas supply for the Western region.

According to Deputy Reynolds, this report highlights the fact that for the last four years this government has been prepared to do is bury its head in the sand and hope that the problems of the Western Region wills somehow, mysteriously, resolve themselves. If this FF/PD Government continues to ignore the urgent necessity of a properly funded plan for sustainable development in the West they should, immediately, leave Government and allow Fine Gael in Government to take responsibility for implementing the priority projects outlined in this excellent report by the Western Development Commission.

Over 300 people waiting for the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme in Sligo/Leitrim

"The response by Minister Bobby Molloy to my recent Parliamentary Question for extra funding for the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme is a further indication of this FF/PD Government's uncaring attitude towards one of the most vulnerable sections of people in our society." Said Gerry Reynolds T D.

"The fact that there are over 300 elderly people waiting for urgent and necessary work to be carried out on their homes under this Scheme in Sligo/Leitrim is appalling.

The North Western Health Board, who administrate the Scheme for the Government, have stated that if they do not get extra funding in this year, the number of people on the waiting list will increase. The attitude of the Minister, not to give additional funding in this year is unbelievable." Said Deputy Reynolds.

Western Development

Access:
Only 10% of all the 30m people entering Ireland each year do so in the West (included 2.2m via Shannon) while most of the remainder enters through the Dublin access points.
As a tourist destination the West's best chance is the short break holiday/visitor market. Yet access is such that it takes a day to get there from UK and a day to get back.
Such poor access is very detrimental for business.
Recently in a survey by the Market Research Bureau for the Chambers of Commerce over three quarters of businesses wanted direct flights from the west to UK or London destinations.
If they cannot get by air they will find it hard to get by any other means. The west hardly has a sea crossing choice and yet a key access route such as the N5 to Westport is in an abysmal state. I use the work 'abysmal' because some of the holes between Strokestown and Charlestown could be likened to an abyss. This is not really a matter for joking. It is widely known that businesses are losing money with delays and accidents on such a route.
Railways such as the Dublin-Sligo and Dublin-Ballina lines will continue to have long journey times and inadequate time tabling for commuter traffic. It is my understanding that some major freight is being shifted from rail to road on the Sligo line making roads even more dangerous.
If Post Officer were being closed up and down the country then there would be uproar. Yet the extent to which the west is losing out on telecommunications is just as dramatic. It is my understanding the Eircom and ESAT have reduced operations in the BMW region, and we know that other private operators with contracts to roll out backbone telecommunications infrastructure in the region have now ceased operatgion.
At all levels there seems to be a lack of resolve to provide access to the region for businesses, for people or for tourist.
Jobs
Western region had just 16% of total national employment between 1998-2000, most of which occurred in Galway city.
The small job gains that were made in the West came to Galway city and Clare, which accounted for 90% of all job gains in the west, with counties like Leitrim actually having a net loss of jobs.
The west national share of IDA jobs is falling every year from 22% in 1995 to 18.7% in 2000.