The question of jobs, their loss and their creation constantly attract the attention of the regional newspapers. The Limerick Leader leads its front page with the headline: "Shannon to lose 700,000 passengers next year," suggesting a consequent loss of jobs in the Limerick-Clare area.
The Bray People also concentrates on what its headline writer points out: "Bray firm introduces short-time working as economic slowdown bites hard." The report underneath says: "Fears of an economic slump bit hard this week as one of Bray's largest employers placed its workforce on a three-day week. US electric motoring manufacturing giant, A.O. Smith Ltd., is keeping tight-lipped about the reports that have gripped the local community."
The Donegal People's Press in a report by Connie Duffy says: "Councillors in the Finn Valley area have called on the Government to take urgent action to bring employment there following the closure of the Herdman plant in Ballybofey with the loss of 85 jobs ."The work carried out at Herdman's textile plant has been transferred to the company's headquarters in Sion Mills but another 85 jobs have gone there with the suspension of weekend shifts."
The same newspaper in its editorial says: "Job losses and the introduction of short time working in three firms in Donegal [recently] has given substance to fears that there tough times ahead for industry and business with the consequent threat of further job losses."
The Kerryman also gives front-page treatment to the problem with the headline: "Education and jobs blackspot." The report by Aiden Corkery tells the readers: "Tralee and its surrounding areas are an unemployment and education blackspot according to the results of a report presented to town councillors by local community enterprise group, Partnership Trβ L∅." According to the report unemployment levels in Tralee are in excess of 10 per cent which is considerably higher than the national average."
The SligoChampion reports: "Sligo County Council chairman, Tony McLoughlin, has invited Tβnaiste, Mary Harney, to attend a meeting in County Hall during her next visit to Sligo to discuss a co-ordinated effort to promote Sligo as a prime location for sustainable industries." The latest issue of the Corkman carries a report by Kathy O'Sullivan: "The first phase of the laying-off process at General Semiconductors will begin later this week when an estimated 100 workers will officially finish work at the Macroom-based plant. A resource centre has been established within the plant to help employees find other jobs."
The Leitrim Observer reports: "Lilly/Valspar have announced that their paint factory in Ballinamore will close its operations at the end of the year with the loss of six permanent jobs. The factory, which opened in November 1997, supplies protective acrylic coatings to the Masonite plant in Drumsna." A statement from the company says: "The company's six permanent staff have agreed redundancy terms with the company."
But the news isn't all bad. The Nationalist carries a headline: "Jobs boost as three firms set to create 69 new posts." The report by Suzanne Pender tells us: "A total investment of £6.7 million in three Carlow engineering companies look set to create a total of 69 new jobs over the next three years."
The Echo and South Leinster Advertiser tells of a "Jobs boost for town." Donal Howlin reports: "Enniscorthy has has received a jobs boost with the announcement that IT Images in Bellefield are to increase their workforce to 30 by next year. They currently employ 17 people."
The Leinster Leader has a report by Lisa-Anne Crookes which says: "Plans for a new multi-million pound shopping centre at Monread Road, Naas, were unveiled last week. The Hazelmark Development will be developed on a 14-acre site." Phase one of the proposed development [has been] lodged with Kildare County Council and Naas UDC."
The Midland Tribune celebrates the fact that local man, "Foreign Affairs Minister, Brian Cowen, has taken the helm at the UN Security Council at one of the most dangerous period in world history."
On sporting matters there is a stark contrast between the front pages of the Laois Nationalist and the Western People. The Laois paper gives its entire front page to the victory of their women's football side in the All-Ireland final in Croke Park. It carries a colour photograph by Adrian Melia of the team in Croke Park after their victory and a report which reads: "Emotions ran high amongst the all-conquering Laois ladies team on Monday evening when they eventually arrived home for the reception at County Hall. This was the stuff of which dream are made."
The Mayo paper also has a colour photograph by David Farrell on its front page showing a weeping Claire Egan, one of the Mayo players, after her team's narrow defeat. Inside is a report by Denise Horan, the Mayo captain and Western People reporter, under the banner headline: "The day a dream died."