Sligo has the highest rate of vacant commercial units in Ireland, according to a report.

A total of 16.8% of units are currently empty and disused, Geo Directory has revealed.

Fianna Fail TD for Sligo-Leitrim Eamon Scanlon is calling on the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O'Connor to address the issue.

He said: "This Government needs to do more to bring business back to towns across the North West. Boarded up units on main streets are still a familiar site in towns and villages in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal and could act as a deterrent to people who want to start their own business or expand and existing one.

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"Fine Gael and Labour failed the regions by perpetrating a two-tier recovery – the fact that the North West has the highest percentage of commercial vacancies in the country clearly demonstrated their lack of commitment to counties like Sligo and Leitrim, which have not felt the impact of this urban economic upturn.

"The North West cannot continue to be left behind. These vacant commercial units should be utilised and used to house small and fledgling companies. In our manifesto, Fianna Fáil proposed the idea of earmarking certain unused public buildings for use as incubation units for start-ups. This initiative could be broadened out to include vacant commercial units as well. These properties would allow new companies to share the cost of rent, commercial rates and utilities and would put these vacant units to use."

(CD/LM)