This article is from page 18 of the 2006-11-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 18 JPG
BUSINESS leaders in Clare have welcomed what they describe as a “pro-enterprise book of estimates”
But they support the Chamber of Commerce Ireland view that the increase of two per cent in the Exchequer contribution to the local government fund is “measly.”
Ennis Chamber President, John Madden, said that the allocation of €10m to provide 100 per cent nation-wide broadband coverage where it is not commercially viable for the private sector to do so “is certainly to be welcomed”.
“It is the way of the future that more and more people want to work or run businesses from home and it’s absolutely vital that we have broadband coverage.”
He added that he was in agreement with the Chambers Ireland summation of the increases to county councils.
“Local government is under funded while the day to day cost of running the services has increased enormously and it is businesses that will end up having to pay for it” the chamber president said.
Chambers Ireland’s Chief Executive John Dunne said that, “increased investment in upskilling our employees is particularly welcome. However, while overall Government spending is up by eight per cent, the two per cent increase in the Exchequer contribution to the local government fund won’t even cover the increase in wages. And, as local authorities look to meet the shortfall through increasing commercial rates and other businesses charges, this will inevitably feed into higher costs for business.”
There has also been a broad welcome for the commitment of €20 million under the CLÁR programme for the development of areas that have sustained continuous population loss.
And €26 million has been provided for the Leader 2000-2006 programme for rural development.
A 13 per cent increase in current funding for the Western Development Commission has also been promised and the Rural Social Scheme will involve expenditure of more than €43 million in 2007.