Deputy Michael Lowry highlighted Tipperary Town when addressing An Taoiseach, Michéal Martin during Leaders Question in the Dail yesterday.
In particular, he praised the diligent work and effective work of the multi-agency Task Force in the town, with An Taoiseach saying in response that he is interested in working with this Task Force and with all involved in a multi-agency approach, which is ‘the key and is essential’
Outlining some of the major issues in the town, Deputy Lowry said ‘The area suffers from extremely high levels of long-term unemployment. Third Level attainment is about half that of the level nationally, pointing to social deprivation issues in early childhood. 15% of the population is identified as non-Irish national. 36% of all families with children under the age of 15 were headed by a lone parent. The social deprivation index for the town is quite stark. The town is categorised as “very disadvantaged”.
Deputy Lowry claimed that the most significant socio-economic problem facing Tipperary Town is the ever-increasing heavy traffic that travels through the town on a daily basis. Each week, more than 85,000 traffic movements occur through the very centre of the town, stifling retail and other economic activity, choking the very life out of the town.
An Taoiseach replied that he is aware of Transport Minister Eamon Ryan’s support for a by-pass of the town and that the matter is currently underactive consideration by the Minister for Public Expenditure.
