The Drogheda City Status Group (DCSG) has welcomed the appointment of Michael Keogh as Chair of the Committee to drive the recommendations and response to the report produced by Vivian Geiran saying it could be the turning point that Drogheda needs.
“But,” said DCSG Chair Anna McKenna, “the Chairman can only drive it forward with the full support of Government, across all relevant Departments, with appropriate funding allocated promptly to start making much needed changes.
“We have seen how this worked for Limerick, now let’s get to work in Drogheda – a strong, energetic and experienced Chair can harness the local expertise and enthusiasm which Vivien Geiran observed and is key to Greater Drogheda’s future.”
“The report acknowledges Drogheda as Ireland’s largest town and the sixth largest urban settlement in the country – so as Ireland’s next city, it needs to be properly resourced and planned.
“The report also highlights the difficulty of Greater Drogheda straddling two counties and how contributors to the report expressed frustration regarding this.
“So, Meath County Council need to be involved as well, along with key business, community and political interests in the Drogheda Region. This report must be the ‘tipping point’ to address a unified administration of the Greater Drogheda Region, and Mr.Geiran frequently refers to this issue.”
The Geiran Report also highlights other key problems that DCSG has been highlighting for years, such as the lack of local employment and the absence of a Third Level institution here. As a consequence, the report confirms that Drogheda has much higher than average unemployment and much lower Third Level educational attainment.
“The structures and resources that are provided to the Drogheda Region as a consequence of Mr.Geiran’s excellent report need to go further than his brief which focussed mainly on crime and deprivation. These problems will only be alleviated by creating improved prosperity locally.
For example, Government and its agencies need to invest in broader local education options and local job creation,” said Anna who added that DCSG – having engaged with Vivian Geiran – are looking forward to meeting with Michael Keogh in the near future.
