A LIMERICK TD has called for the resurrection of co-operatives which can step in and sustain jobs and business when investors pull out because profits aren’t big enough.
Sinn Fein’s Maurice Quinlivan has called on the Department of Enterprise to re-establish the Co-operative Development Unit. The Limerick Deputy made the call following the recent completion of Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the Co-Operative Societies Bill.
Speaking in the Dáil chamber he said: “The Enterprise, Trade, and Employment Committee recently published a report on the Co-Operative Societies Bill. One of the Committee’s recommendations was the re-establishment of the co-operative development unit within the Enterprise Department with the aim of providing training support and advice to existing and growing co-operatives across the state.”
“Co-operatives can sustain employment in situations where jobs would otherwise be lost. These are jobs that would be lost, not because the business is untenable but because they weren’t generating astronomical profits.
“If we are serious about erasing poverty, we must be serious about dealing with the inequality of ownership that exists across our economy.”
Highlighting the benefits of co-operatives, the Limerick Deputy advised: “Co-operatives are a way of giving control to the local communities and stimulating local communities and regional wealth. But these co-operatives need support and training. It is my view that we should look to prioritise support and assistance available to co-operatives, in the context of economic growth and developing self-sustaining communities.”
He said Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) must be supported in terms of training, upskilling, and resourcing to facilitate the establishment and growth of cooperatives with each LEO having a minimum of one available in house to provide support.
He continued: “Historically, co-operatives have been vital to key sectors of our economy. They have shown their worth in terms of agriculture and credit unions. With Co-operatives people work together on an equal basis and share equally in the results of the work. They have the potential to play a role in addressing issues such long working days, commuting, isolation and lack of community facilities by providing community services. But training and support must be offered to ensure that co-operatives can develop and thrive in this state.”
“Employment is currently in a good state with an unemployment rate of 4 per cent but there remain people who want to work but currently are unable to do so. They include people within our Traveller community, people with disabilities, and people looking to return to the workforce following a pause to care for family members. Limerick has an opportunity to address the city’s unemployment blackspots as well with fresh thinking.”
