TRALEE Chamber Alliance has continued to pile pressure on the Government to do more for Kerry by way of job creation and to put a particular focus on Tralee.
At the National Chambers Ireland Forum, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore was brought up to speed on the current unacceptable level of perceived support from the IDA who only made one site visit to Tralee in the past 18 months.
The CEO of Tralee Chamber Alliance, Kieran Ruttledge, said: “We had a lengthy discussion on matters relating to job creation in Tralee. We underlined our dissatisfaction with the poor number of IDA visits to Tralee and levels of grants available for companies considering investing in the region. The importance of retaining the 9% Vat rate for the Hospitality Industry and the unemployment levels in Tralee were also discussed.”
Details of the Institute of Technology’s bid to take over the running of the park – a move fully supported by Tralee Chamber Alliance – were also discussed with the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Eamon Gilmore said he felt that the success of the Institute of Technology was one of Tralee’s top selling points and he regarded the Kerry Technology Park as a big attraction for companies considering investing in the area.
“The Tánaiste accepted that there was a lot more work to be done and he felt that we could face the future with some confidence. He was very aware of the situation in Tralee and retains an excellent relationship with Arthur Spring who keeps him up to date on all matters,” said Kieran Ruttledge.
