Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I have great sympathy for the workers concerned. In such circumstances we ask the State agencies to get involved quickly. FÁS offers services such as alternative job opportunities and training programmes which workers can undertake to enhance their skills and secure alternative employment. Enterprise Ireland works in an area which has suffered job losses through adding jobs in indigenous enterprises or through creating new indigenous start-up enterprises with the help of the county enterprise board. IDA Ireland seeks to attract investment into the region.

One must consider this in the context of the region. If one looks at single towns in isolation, one will encounter similar stories. However, there have been substantial increases in investment and jobs in Wicklow and south Dublin in recent years.

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