Urgent action is needed to help recently unemployed people in Westmeath, and throughout the country, find alternative employment, according to Fine Gael Longford/Westmeath Senator, Nicky McFadden who this week called on the Government to initiate an economic package to help people return to the workforce.
“Hundreds of jobs are being lost every day. The Live Register figures for last month are chilling. In Athlone 2,720 people are unemployed with that figure rising to 3,516 in Mullingar. These job losses are seriously affecting people’s lives and a genuine fear exists about the reality of making ends meet,” says Senator McFadden.
Senator McFadden wants to know what help or assistance the Government is giving to those who are struggling to pay their mortgages, to those who cannot afford to feed and clothe their families, and to those who are living off the last of their savings knowing that next month will be tougher than last.
“The answer is absolutely none. No help is being given and nothing is being done. No action has been initiated, no leadership provided, no counsel given and no strategy put in place,” she said.
“An economic stimulus package is needed now. Our future development depends on it. We simply cannot afford for this Government to continue to sit back and do nothing. Westmeath is heavily dependent on services and industry. The Government, along with the IDA, must immediately adopt a plan to help ordinary people instead of focusing their complete attention on the high-flyers of the corporate world,” she added.
