The long-term unemployed and young people living in the North-West cannot continue to be overlooked by Invest NI, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) and the Stormont Executive, a Derry MLA has said.
Pat Ramsey, the SDLP spokesperson on Employment and Learning, was speaking during a debate on job creation in the Assembly.
Mr Ramsey said: “My constituents often comment on the failure not only of Invest Northern Ireland but of DETI and the Executive collectively to deliver jobs and investment in my constituency.”
Mr Ramsey said he had been informed by the Minister that Invest NI was not able to produce sub regional plans or targets because of the recommendations of the independent review of economic policy.
He added: “That just does not wash with the long-term unemployed and young people in my city. The North West region cannot be forgotten.
“Derry city is doing very well. I have never seen such an immense sense of pride in the city. Derry is representing Northern Ireland; it is not representing any community, whether it is the Bogside or the Waterside.
“I am standing up today for the many unemployed and young people in my community. The Minister conceded — the figures are there — that the level of unemployment in Northern Ireland at the present time is under 7%, but, unfortunately, in Derry and the north-west it is 9%. Given this rate of unemployment it is essential that we offer our young people much more in terms of investment.”
Mr Ramsey concluded: “The NorthWest is a great place to invest and I will continue to push the Minister and Invest NI to prepare a regional strategy that will utilise all that Derry has to offer.”
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