McDermott laments fact that Delvin still without business incubator unit
A claim that at least once every five years for the last 50 years, he has asked for construction of an incubator enterprise unit in Delvin was made by Cllr Frank McDermott at the April meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad.
“And we’re still making no progress!” he declared after receiving the district’s official written response to his motion, which said that the construction of such units by the council would need to be considered in the context of the whole county, the demand for such units and Westmeath County Council’s ability to finance such units.
“This matter can be investigated further by the Local Enterprise Office,” the response concluded.
Cllr McDermott said he believed the provision of a unit at Delvin should be pursued vigorously: “It is the only village in north Westmeath that doesn’t have a little unit to progress business or enterprise in some form,” he stated.
Cllr Paddy Hill supported Cllr McDermott’s motion, pointing out that if the council had not had land reserved in Castlepollard, that town would not have the Mergon facility today. “And we know the value of that to the community,” he stated, going on to add that he knew of three parties who wanted to erect small units in the north Westmeath area, and all were refused permission.
“So if you want to get employment into rural areas – as we talk so much about it here – the only way to get it in is to get people working in the rural areas, and if people can buy in to the likes of what Cllr McDermott is talking about, then that’s where something will happen.”
The mayor of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad, Cllr John Shaw, agreed, saying there were lots of businesses that would be delighted to relocate to such an area, while Cllr Denis Leonard also agreed there was a need for incubator units.
“We as an authority have given planning for hundreds and hundreds of houses in these areas over the years. And do we ever ask ourselves where those people are meant to work.
“Or is everyone supposed to get on the M4 every morning and spend a four-hour return trip commuting to Dublin?”
Support also came from Cllr Bill Collentine, who said he could not understand why such units are not being provided when one considered the valuable employment that can result from them.
Cllr Emily Wallace said there seems to be an inclination to push businesses into larger towns at the expense of smaller towns, which need support.
Cllr Andrew Duncan said in most towns, the nucleus is made up from small businesses, but there is not a huge amount of opportunity at present for those who want to enter into business – something he felt the council should discuss.