April 09

12,000 jobs goal for Louth by 2015 as forum targets economic development

An “ambitious but achievable” target of creating 12,000 additional jobs in Louth between now and 2015 has been set by a major new economic study of the county.

The study, commissioned by Louth Local Authorities from Indecon International Economic Consultants, provides a blueprint for the newly-formed Louth Economic Forum chaired by Padraic White, former managing director of IDA Ireland.

In addition to a countywide analysis and strategy running to over 300 pages, Indecon have also prepared specific proposals in respect of Ardee, Drogheda and Dundalk with the overall population in the county and its economic hinterland projected to grow to almost 190,000 over the next six years.

While acknowledging that the strategy is emerging at a time of unprecedented economic uncertainty, Alan Gray, Managing Partner, Indecon, insisted the plan is realistic and takes account of the marked slowdown in the Irish and global economy since 2007. “While the current difficult economic environment is likely to continue over the next couple of years, there remain significant opportunities for Louth. The business leaders we consulted while preparing this strategy are certainly determined to seize these rather than rolling over in the face of the recession. Louth must now be prepared for the upturn when it comes.

“Areas where Louth has particular potential for employment growth include the internationally-traded services sector, which includes software development, business and professional services and the science and technology sector where there is potential in research and development and in targeted sectors including biotechnology and information and communications technology (ICT). Other sectors with significant potential include food and drinks processing; logistics and distribution; retailing and e-retailing; e-Government services and tourism. The impressive body of work already done on sustainable energy also provides sound foundations for further growth with Louth in a lead role.

“Location is clearly a huge competitive advantage to Louth, both given its centrality to the Dublin-Belfast M1 economic corridor and ease of access to higher education institutions as well as Dublin Airport and the commercial seaports within and close to the county. In Drogheda and Dundalk, the county has two very significant towns which have grown considerably during the last decade. The county’s coastline, urban/rural mix, transport infrastructure and location also combine to provide an excellent quality-of-life and this is vital to those making decisions about increasingly mobile investments.”

Speaking as the newly-formed Louth Economic Forum held its first meeting at the historic Governor’s House in Drogheda, Padraic White said he is confident that the public-private body can help drive Louth’s economic development agenda.

“The report from Indecon offers a roadmap of where the main opportunities are for economic development in Louth between now and 2015. The positive attitude shown by the Forum members I’ve met - including representatives of the specific town-level forums established in Drogheda and Dundalk – gives me every confidence that we can make real progress in advancing the economic development of Co Louth for the benefit of its people. While I’m very keenly aware of the prevailing economic situation, I also strongly believe that Louth is primed to more fully exploit its tremendous potential.

“While geographic location is important, I know from my previous role at IDA Ireland that people are the key asset of any location seeking to generate additional economic activity. In this respect, Louth is fortunate in that there is an existing enterprise culture to build on and great potential to tap in more comprehensively to the network of approximately 15,000 people living in Louth who currently work outside the county. For instance, almost six-in-10 of those living in Louth and working in Dublin are educated to third level degree standard or higher, providing a huge untapped pool of skilled labour for the county to draw on.”

Cllr Declan Breathnach, chairman, Louth County Council said it is vital that the number of successful foreign- and domestic-owned businesses located in the county increases. “We already have some excellent employers of various sizes operating at sites around the county but it is essential that we get maximum value from our excellent location to generate the job opportunities that this and future generations will require as the county’s population grows.

“Under Padraic White’s chairmanship and with inputs from right across the county, I am sure the Louth Economic Forum will provide a useful platform for bringing together key stakeholders. Now more than ever, we must all wear the Louth jersey and play to our strengths when it comes to economic development. Ours is a compact county and we have to raise our thinking beyond any lingering sense that what’s good news for one town must be bad for another.”

Conn Murray, Louth County Manager, added: “As Indecon have identified, Louth has particular strengths and opportunities that more than outweigh the remaining weaknesses that we are increasingly tackling in a more coordinated way. The strategy brought forward following what has been a very comprehensive process including active engagement with over 240 businesses in Louth sets out where the opportunities lie and how they can best be grasped.

“It is important that in creating and maintaining a positive business climate in Louth, we also ensure the most diverse possible spread of economic activity so there is no over-reliance on any particular sector and that people live as close as possible to their workplaces. Similarly, we must ensure the benefits of future economic development and growth are felt throughout the county and that social inclusion underpins our efforts and those currently out of work are not consigned to long-term unemployment once economic recovery gets underway.

“For our part, Louth Local Authorities are committed to working proactively to encourage enterprise in the county and where a clear case is made we will be creative and flexible in how we view funding requirements for particular pieces of infrastructure that can help unlock economic potential. Similarly, we will work with all regional and national agencies whose remits include inward and indigenous investment. Higher education is also a key driver of economic development and Louth is well-served in this regard with further positive developments in the pipeline.”

Committed to working towards a major and sustained uplift in economic activity and employment in the county, the Louth Economic Forum is chaired by Padraic White who led the IDA in the decade to 1990 which saw Ireland endure and then emerge from the last prolonged recession. During his tenure, the IDA negotiated the location in Ireland of Microsoft, IBM Software and Intel and led the successful marketing campaign to establish the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in Dublin.”

Since leaving the IDA, Padraic has advised Governments around the world on the promotion of foreign direct investment as a senior consultant for FIAS (the Foreign Investment Advisory Service, part of the World Bank) and the Phare programme for new EU member states. He was the first chairman of the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) from 2002-2007, during which time the agency was responsible for the successful launch and operation of the LUAS light rail service in Dublin.

Mr White is chairman, director and advisor to a range of companies and has a special interest in fostering small and medium enterprises. Co-author with former Minister for Finance and EU Commissioner Ray McSharry of ‘The making of the Celtic Tiger’, he also chairs the West Belfast & Greater Shankill Enterprise Council while his wife, Senator Mary White, is from Dundalk.

Aside from Mr White and Mr Murray, the members of the Louth Economic Forum are Patricia Rooney, Drogheda & District Chamber; Graham O’Rourke, Drogheda & District Chamber; Declan Murphy, Dundalk Chamber of Commerce; Bill Tosh, Dundalk Chamber of Commerce; Ronan Dennedy, Louth County Enterprise Board; Denis Cummins, Dundalk Institute of Technology; Michael Curran, Louth County Council; Rosemary Sexton, Enterprise Ireland; Pat Doherty, IDA Ireland; Ray Kelly, FÁS; Declan Meally, Sustainable Energy Ireland; Oliver Dillon, Teagasc and John Kierans representing the business community in Ardee.

ENDS – April 21, 2009.

Media contact:    Brian Nolan, Bance Nolan Ltd – (086) 819 1730;

Photos:                  Conor Healy - (087) 398 5172; Ciara Wilkinson – (086) 331 9724.