Employment « Thurles Information

Cllr Hanafin Welcomes Change In IDA Ireland policy

Hanafin At yesterday’s Municipal Tipperary County Council meeting, Thurles Cathaoirleach (Chairperson) Cllr. Seamus Hanafin stated; “The news of 300 new jobs recently announced for Nenagh by the US financial technology company First Data was indeed very welcome, particularly in light of the recent news of 126 job losses at the C&C Borrisoleigh plant; the some 350 job losses at Lisheen Mines, near Moyne and the expected closures of all Xtra-Vision stores in the county, latter which was announced only earlier this morning.”

Cllr Hanafin went on to state that the 300 promised jobs by ‘First Data’ in Nenagh was the first new ‘Foreign Direct Investment’ to arrive in North Tipperary in the past 20 years.

Cllr Hanafin stated; “This new investment now signalled a real awareness in current IDA Ireland’s thinking and I hope this same change of attitude will go on to deliver yet more jobs into Co. Tipperary into the near future.”

The Cathaoirleach had been to the fore in arranging for IDA Ireland to attend a ‘Work Shop’ last July at The Anner Hotel, Thurles and had been verbally critical, on a regular basis, of IDA Ireland’s neglect in respect of their middle Ireland policy. “However I am happy on this occasion to give IDA Ireland credit; where credit is observed as being justly due,” stated Cllr Hanafin.

The Cathaoirleach also acknowledged the work of Mr Joe MacGrath, C.E. Tipperary Co. Council whom he stated was; “Tireless in his efforts to get this new badly needed investment of the ground.”

Cllr Hanafin stated that he would now be examining specific ‘site-ready’ locations across Co. Tipperary in the coming months, which could be deemed, for the most part, ready, easily available and accessible, for other future foreign or domestic investment.

Lowry Calls On Tipperary Tourism Providers To Reach Out

Independent TD Deputy Michael Lowry has called on all Tipperary Tourism Providers, in communities throughout Co. Tipperary, to “Reach Out”.

Speaking recently on the subject of Tipperary Tourism, Deputy Michael Lowry TD has called on all urban and rural communities, across Co. Tipperary, to familiarise themselves with the website “Ireland Reaching Out (Ireland XO)” (http://www.irelandxo.com/) and to become fully involved locally, through the many voluntary roles offered.

The Independent Deputy stated; “Ireland Reaching Out (Ireland XO )” is a volunteer-based, non-profit initiative which can build lasting links between the widely spread global Diaspora; estimated at some 70 million people of Irish decent, many of whom can, through past family discussion, already identify with their particular parish of origin here in Co. Tipperary.”

“The ‘Ireland Reaching Out’ website is simple but intelligent, based on the idea of ‘involved reverse genealogy’. So instead of waiting for our global Tipperary Diaspora to trace their roots themselves, Ireland XO volunteers can network directly with people from around Tipperary in their local communities. By doing so local communities can assist in building bridges between the present and the past; through connecting people with their Irish home parishes and discovering very often lost ancestry. This in turn will results in badly needed tourism being attracted to all areas of Tipperary; while creating some small, yet instant full time and part time employment in the county through our excellent Hotel Accommodation, B&B’s, Restaurants, Museums and Visitor Centres”, stated Lowry.

“Tipperary published brochures, while necessary to some degree, can be no substitute, in our modern day Ireland, for on-line world-wide-web marketing. With the unset of the new tourism initiative ‘Ireland’s Ancient East”, focused on heritage and history and themed along the four pillars of; Ancient Ireland; Early Christian Ireland; Medieval Ireland and Anglo Ireland, there is a very grave possibility that our northern Tipperary countryside; north of the Rock of Cashel & Holycross, will remain somewhat neglected” continued Lowry.

“To-date, Ireland Reaching Out (Ireland XO) has helped thousands of Irish people discover the history of their long lost relatives, their existing families, endevering to reconnect them, where possible, with their Irish parish / community of origin. Whether people have emigrated recently or have never set foot on our sandy shores, Irish people will always welcome visitors from all over the world and particularly those who share an existing affinity for our rich and varied Tipperary heritage. It should therefore remain our aim to assist those now resident abroad to return and discover the real story of their families, their past history and reconnect them with the Tipperary of 2016.” concluded Michael Lowry.

Farewell Lisheen Mine, Moyne, Co Tipperary

Lisheen Mine, Moyne, Co Tipperary

The mining firm Vedanta Resources last week made their final shipment of zinc ore from their Lisheen Mine facility near Moyne, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

While extraction at the mine officially concluded last November 2015, milling of the mined ore did not ceased until December. At peak production some 400 associated individuals enjoyed secure employment at the site; providing an estimated €28 million in wages and salaries annually, much of which was spent in the local economy.

Lisheen Mine in the past was also a major source of support and funding to local clubs, amenities and charities in the Thurles and surrounding areas, most recently funding playground equipment in our new Thurles town Park.

Lisheen Mine first began in 1999, following partnerships between Minorco, Anglo American and Ivernia West. In 2011, Vedanta Limited, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources, acquired the mine from Anglo American, who had taken full ownership of the site in 2003.

The overall Lisheen operation consisted of an underground mine, a concentrator and backfill plant, producing some 300,000 tonnes of zinc concentrate and 38,000 tonnes of lead concentrate each year, for the past 17 years of its overall operation. During the lifetime of the mine it is estimated that some 22.4m tonnes of ore was mined at this Lisheen plant.

The closure of the mine is now most likely to further tighten global supplies of zinc. Used in part to galvanise steel, the price of the metal globally had dropped to its lowest levels since 2009.

From a local future prospect will this now large, well-appointed and resourced site be left to decay and lie redundant?. Will this site be identified as one of the ‘site-ready’ locations identified at tonight’s ‘Invest Tipperary’ Launch?

Invest Tipperary – Marketing The Premier County

lit-thurles The launch of a new initiative “Invest Tipperary,” will takes place this evening, Monday 25th January 2016, with business representatives from across the county expected to attend.

The Chairperson of Invest Tipperary, Mr Liam Sheedy is encouraging people to come along to this evening’s launch, which will take place at the LIT, Thurles, Tipperary campus.

The purpose of this new initiative is to strongly market Co Tipperary to all businesses and multinational companies who may be currently expressing an interest in Ireland, with a view to setting up some future envisioned industrial base.

In the past it has been highlighted that Co. Tipperary has fared most inadequately when compared to IDA sponsored site visits in other counties, by future potential investors.

Following a study of possible ‘site-ready’ locations having already been carried out in advance of this evenings launch; some eight locations are understood to have been identified across Tipperary, that are understood to be ready, available and waiting for future investment.

This new “Invest Tipperary” is understood to become an on-line and traditional marketing venture, which will greatly assist in the promoting of our counties industrial and retail sites, thus enabling Co. Tipperary to compete, for the first time, with other larger urban areas currently seeking both inbound and indigenous investment.

The official launch of this new initiative will take place this evening at 7:00pm sharp and featuring on tonight’s agenda will be discussions on the creation of a vibrant website; current marketing materials currently available and future engagement on a digital media programme, that would strongly promote the entire county of Tipperary as a suitable investment location.

Tipperary Under 5 Years Of Labour & Fine Gael

There is no denying the published, dismal Live Register CSO figures (Check for yourselves using search criteria All Ages, Both Sexes,) at the end of December for both North and South Tipperary, each carefully checked and shown separately hereunder.

Yes we are aware that the Live Register is not designed to measure unemployment, but they are most certainly a strong indication of Urban and Rural trending.

Live Register by Age Group, Sex, Social Welfare Office and Month – North Tipp.

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Within the last two weeks 700 jobs were announced by Tipperary’s Mr Alan Kelly TD, Minister for ‘Privatising our Irish Water’. Some 400 construction jobs were announced in Silvermines village and 300 at US multi-national First Data in Nenagh town.

It has taken this government almost 5 years to create not even one job and now 6 weeks before a General Election the sky has opened and it’s raining jobs, with more extensive flooding expected.

When will these Tipperary jobs materialise?

Silvermines:
This Silvermines Hydro Electric Power Station project employing 400 construction workers will begins with a detailed feasibility assessments and consultation programme with the local community before moving to an 18 month to two year planning process later this year. Jobs therefore not expected before 2019 with most of the skilled workforce needed already employed by the European construction and technology companies involved.
Nenagh:
The US multi-national First Data premises is expected to open around March 2017 and to employ 300 workers, but obviously not before their opening date 2017, despite the promise that recruitment will start late this year in 2016. Like most long term promises made by multi-national companies the numbers expected to be employed rarely meet their forecast targets or indeed those who dream of a secure job in the future.

By the time any of these jobs are available or even at the recruitment stage, another flock of graduating students will be ready and available in the Tipperary market place.

Live Register by Age Group, Sex, Social Welfare Office and Month – South Tipp

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For those of our readers who feel that I write from a negative or political prospective, let’s examine the facts, but first examine the figures shown above.
652 Jobs announced in South Tipperary last year (2015) as follows:-
September 2015 – 200 new jobs for Clonmel at Eishtec.
August 1st 2015 – 300 new jobs long term in Cashel at US generic drugs giant Amneal Pharmaceuticals;
July 2015 – 152 jobs at ABP Food Group in Cahir.

What “Recovery” has Labour & Fine Gael to date introduced into Ireland?
Yes “Recovery” is under way if you are prepared to ignore that half of our economic growth is pedestalled on very questionable profit shifting by Multinational Companies.

Yes “Recovery” is under way if you are prepared to ignore that some 105,000 of our children have been pushed into long term poverty and deprivation, and yes numbers continue to grow for those forced to live in emergency homeless accommodation.

Yes “Recovery” is under way if you are prepared to ignore the fact that at least 300,000 people were forced to emigrate since 2010 to date.

Yes “Recovery” is under way if you are prepared to ignore that funds in relation to housing Regeneration Projects were abandoned; Public spending was cut on Community Development Organisations; Public Rural transport; Education; Flood Defences and you surely can’t ignore our present Health Care Services.

Even if 2,000 jobs were to be announced tomorrow for Co. Tipperary; thanks to TD’s Mr Kelly, Mr Coonan, Mr Hayes, the IDA and other government agencies, the truth is infer-structurally, we do not have even a shed to offer them, nor a pot for them to piss in.

Yes Ireland and rural Ireland in particular, are both definitely in “Recovery Mode”.