Housing crisis in Clare threatens jobs as investors bypass county

Lack of suitable housing has been identified as one of the main barriers preventing industrial investment across Clare.

The comments came amid concerns for jobs across the county following the departure of Roche from Clarecastle and the reduction of operations at Moneypoint in Kilrush.

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At the January meeting of Clare County Council, Sinn Féin councillor Tommy Guilfoyle called on the council to "provide a comprehensive update on initiatives undertaken to attract a significant employer to County Clare."

He highlighted his belief that "as a county we are lagging behind in the development of quality jobs".

Cllr Guilfoyle detailed how it is "imperative" that the council, in conjunction with the IDA and Enterprise Ireland, "endeavour to bring substantial, high-quality employment opportunities to the county."

Fianna Fáil councillor Pat Daly said the closure of Roche led to the loss of between 400 and 500 jobs in Clare and warned the county "would be in serious trouble without the Shannon Free Zone."

Cllr Michael Shannon expressed concern that, despite Clare being "ideally positioned to attract" multinational corporations, there has been "virtually zero investment in recent years."

He highlighted the county’s advantages, including Shannon Airport, a motorway connecting Clare to Limerick and beyond, and the town of Ennis.

Adding that "what we have here, we have here for a very long period of time and they are very successful."

"We have a very good track record that the companies that are here are viable and staying here and growing. So, we just need to attract more."

Fine Gael councillor Joe Garrihy welcomed the council’s decision to invite the IDA (Industrial Development Authority) to hear "from the horse’s mouth" what it can "do better" to attract industry to Clare.

He questioned whether upgrades in West Clare would help: "Is it as Cllr Gould says, can we get something into West Clare if we upgrade the roads? Is it the housing?"

He added: "Instead of banging our heads off the wall trying to launch that space shuttle from Loophead Lighthouse, we will know where the opportunities are, told by the experts where it has been successful."

"Then we can put all of our energy into that, instead of thrashing around on something that isn't going to happen."

Noeleen Fitzgerald, Director of Finance, Investment and Enterprise, told the councillors that there is an "on-going collaboration" between the council and Enterprise Ireland and the IDA.

Further she acknowledged that her team are aware a lot of the counties businesses currently operate out of Shannon, confirming that they "have potential investors linking in with West Clare."

Gordon Daly, Chief Executive of Clare County Council, highlighted that the county is stronger in certain industries such as "tourism and renewable energy".

He agreed that Cllr Garrihy's point of the need for investments in areas such as transport energy, waste water facilities, are "very important."

However he highlighted that if the council were to "sit down with an investor today, the biggest issue that they would raise is housing."

He explained that Clare has sufficient talent to attract businesses to the county but housing is "a massive issue", confirming that work is "on-going" with "some below the radar due to commercial sensitivities."

Cllr Guilfoyle said he understands that "housing is a major factor against industrial investment in Ireland" but emphasised his belief that the council "must have their finger on the pulse on how we bring investment to County Clare."