Waterford councillors criticise ‘drop in the ocean’ support package for Tycor businesses
The issue was raised by Cllr Donal Barry at the May meeting of the Waterford Metropolitan District
A number of local councillors have criticised the Government’s support package for businesses affected by the recent fire at the Tycor Business Centre in Waterford city.
The issue was raised by independent councillor Donal Barry at the May meeting of the Waterford Metropolitan District.
He began by highlighting the economic impact that the fire has had on the entire city.
Cllr Barry said: “Look, what happened at the Tycor Business Centre was not just a loss of a building. It was an economic disaster for Waterford.
“Over 40 businesses displaced, around 200 jobs at risk and community services affected. For many people, there’s years of hard work and investment have just gone up in smoke.”
He went on to criticise the Government’s support package which is to be made available to businesses affected by the fire.
“And yet, the Government support package was announced as €750,000.
“To put that into perspective, that’s little more than twice the report cost of the bicycle shed at Leinster House and less than the cost of the pocket park and market house on Thomas Street.”
“I think many workers, business owners and families in Waterford will find it hard to understand how the destruction of a major employment and enterprise centre is being met with what looks like a short-term silly plaster.”
Cllr Barry called on Waterford City and County Council to put together a “serious economic recovery plan”.
He continued: “I want to ask, what kind of plans exist to replace the lost enterprise spaces and what national or European funding is being adequately pursued to build a modern enterprise hub for small businesses in Waterford?
“I think if anything has come out of this disaster it is that there’s a major shortage of affordable business and industrial space in the city for small and new businesses starting out.”
In response to Cllr Barry, Director of Services Ned Brennan outlined the council’s work in engaging with businesses which have been impacted by the fire.
Mr Brennan said: “With regard to finding suitable accommodation for those people or businesses, we are actively working with those businesses and auctioneers and factory owners around the city to try and identify suitable spaces for each of the businesses.
“So this is a very proactive, engaged process that our staff have been involved in for the past week and a half.”
Social Democrats councillor Mary Roche also spoke on the subject later in the meeting.
“Can we get an update from the LEO (Local Enterprise Office) regarding the procedure and the process of where we’re at with those businesses and the community groups at the Jute Factory?
“I met with businesses there as late as yesterday. They haven’t seen a penny yet. Some have signed on.
“They’re being told that they will be given the dole for 13 weeks and after that, they’re kind of on their own.”
She called for the council to urgently take action and to arrange a meeting with the LEO at the earliest possible opportunity.
“There are four businesses up there that actually own their own premises and have had to take a claim off their own insurance for a fire that really, as far as they know, didn’t have anything to do with them.
“This is urgent. I would ask if we would have that meeting this week if possible because what those businesses need is cash.
“The longer it goes on, the less likely it is that they’re going to survive, so we need an immediate injection, we need processes that are sped up.”
Cllr Roche concluded by criticising the amount of money that has been allocated to support the Tycor business under the Government’s support package.
“I completely agree with Cllr Barry that the money is a drop in the ocean.
“You know it’s not an election year or in the cities of Cork or Dublin because €750,000 just ain’t going to cut the mustard.”
In response, Mr Brennan announced the process that is being undertaken to distribute the Government’s support package.
He stated: “In relation to the Tycor situation, the Government only announced their package at lunchtime last Friday.