9th May 2002

Beggs Presses for Grant Aid for New Industry in East Antrim

Ulster Unionist Assemblyman Roy Beggs MLA has pressed the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to increase the amount of grant aid available to businesses in East Antrim by re designating the boroughs of Carrickfergus and Larne as "New TSN (Targeting Social Need) areas". All Departments of the devolved government at Stormont are currently reviewing what areas of the province are categorised as New TSN areas.

The UUP MLA explained:
"I questioned the levels of grant assistance available to industry in East Antrim from LEDU and IDB which are now combined as Invest Northern Ireland, in an Assembly debate which I sponsored in February. Projects, which locate in District council areas which are designated New TSN areas, are eligible for higher levels of grant aid. The present situation is that out of the ten district councils in Northern Ireland earmarked for special TSN support from Invest NI, only two-Moyle, and Newry & Mourne-are east of the Bann. However the fact is that the Carrickfergus Borough Council area at 6.7% has the 4th highest unemployment rate by claimant count in Northern Ireland. Larne has the 8th highest unemployment rate out of the 26 district council areas at 5.9 %. At the same time, one District Council area, west of the Bann has an unemployment rate of 3%, yet it is currently a New TSN area and so qualifies for the higher rate of grant aid for industry."

Roy Beggs who has raised this issue with the Northern Ireland Executive, and the departments involved said that since the facts were indisputable, government had to correct their policies in regards to targeting social need.

"The Executive needs to respond to the needs of all areas with equality and without favour. The policy of direct rule administration for many years was to throw money at areas west of the Bann and West Belfast. It is clear that we in the East have been neglected up until now; there are areas of social need here and this inequality must be addressed. 44% of all jobs lost in Northern Ireland between April and November 2001 occurred in East Antrim. The local devolved administration needs to take action to improve the situation and prove it can have a positive impact on the day-to-day lives of people. That is why I am calling for both Larne and Carrickfergus Borough Council areas to be redesignated as New TSN areas. If this were done it could act as a shot in the arm for the local economy and make East Antrim a more attractive place for inward investors."

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