Byrne quizzes minister on investment for Strabane

SDLP West Tyrone MLA Joe Byrne has spoken during an adjournment debate at Stormont on Invest NI’s strategy for Strabane and said that “until the people of Strabane see jobs in the 40-acre park, they will not feel that they have been listened to”.

The assemblyman stated: “Strabane is an area t

hat has suffered from high unemployment for decades, and anything that can help to improve employment opportunities for the area needs to be addressed. The Business Park will be welcomed, but only if it can be used to attract investment to the area.”

“We have the North West College facility in Strabane, and other local training organisations like CRAFT,” said Mr. Byrne. “We have the facilities locally to skill potential employees, but Strabane needs inward investment to address the historical unemployment issue

.  People need job opportunities.”

Mr Byrne praised local companies that employed local people and paid tribute to employers that “have invested heavily in the area including organisations such as O'Neill sportswear, which more than 400 people; Frylite, which employs more than 120 people; McColgan's foods; and Allstate insurance, with over 500 employees”.

Mr. Byrne concluded: “Strabane is a border town that has suffered government neglect for a long time.  It has been famous for the wrong reasons. I hope that the Executive and the Assembly can do something positive and invest in the young people of Strabane.”