'Public sector jobs would aid rural areas'-Cllr Coyle

SDLP Councillor Michael Coyle made the comment when speaking about the amount of under used and derelict properties in the Limavady Borough town. Councillor Coyle has called on the Executive to invest into a regeneration program for the town which has suffered "serious neglect" in terms of village enhancement.

Councillor Coyle stated: The dereliction in Dungiven has come about over a period of time with no one reason why so many buildings are causing very serious blight in the town."

"Dungiven hasn't received a single penny for village enhancement and other regeneration programmes in the last three years. This information was given by the Sinn Fein Minister for Rural Development Michelle Gildernew to my SDLP Assembly colleague John Dallat in response to a question last March. That is very unfortunate."

Councillor Coyle added that SDLP had previously made calls for an "economic task force" to work in the constituency since the closure of Seagate but calls have been refused.

He continued: "It is clear that there must be collective responsibility and the goodwill of everyone to bring about the kind of change that is needed in Dungiven. A lick of paint is of no use and will only cover up the very serious neglect that is now obvious."

"Some years ago grants were available through the International Fund for Ireland and other match funding to renew buildings. A similar scheme must be introduced coupled by initiatives which will encourage small businesses to start or expand their own businesses."

Councillor Coyle: "The decentralisation of civil service jobs, even on a very modest basis could kick-start the economy in Dungiven and other rural towns but regrettably the Assembly has resisted implementing the Bain Report which advocated such an action."

The Dungiven councillor has been supported by Assembly Member John Dallat who said more funding needs to be allocated to the north west.

Mr Dallat said: "Over the next few months structures will be put in place to spend 2.33 million pounds in the North West but this money will have to cover 12 villages of which 3 will be in the Limavady Borough and there is no guarantee that Dungiven could be one of these. This is spreading the jam too thin."

"Dungiven is the gateway to rural County Derry. It should be a pivotal element of a bigger picture for East Derry and those ministers holding office in the relevant government departments must act now, otherwise the businesses that are finding it hard to survive may join those that have already closed. Rural towns have it stacked against them due to unfair competition from the multi-nationals in the bigger towns and it is the responsibility of the assembly to provide the support both for the fabric of the town and the incentives which small businesses need to survive and expand."