BUSINESS IN THE BELT - Is enough being done to foster enterprise, create jobs, develop infrastructure and regenerate the economy in Dublin's commuter belt? A report into job creation and economic regeneration in the commuter belt around Dublin is to be published this morning. Property prices in these areas have fallen by 18% in the last year, according to yesterday's ESRI/Permanent TSB house price survey. The report is from the Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade & Employment.
Eilis Quinlan, of Eilis J Quinlan & Company in Naas, currently chair of small firms group ISME, says not enough is being done to foster enterprise anywhere in the country. She says 'lip service' was paid to the SME sector in the last two Budgets.
On infrastructure, Ms Quinlan says broadband is good in Naas town, but public transport is 'non-existent', while there is hugh traffic congestion in the town.
David Walsh runs internet security firm NetWatch, and is president of County Carlow Chamber of Commerce. He says infrastructure in Carlow is improving, but there is more to be done.
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