Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)

The announcement last week that 350 employees will lose their jobs at NEC in Ballivor was a devastating blow. Many of them were married and had bought new houses. Five, six and seven members of families were employed by the company. Our hearts go out to them following this bad news, which is a devastating blow to Ballivor and counties Meath and Westmeath where most of the workers reside. The knock on effects will be significant. It is estimated the company was worth €20 million to the local economy because many spin-off companies were set up in the area.

NEC was established in Ballivor in 1976 and last week's announcement was a bolt from the blue. County Meath has suffered significant job losses, particularly over the past ten years. The number of IDA supported jobs in the county has reduced. CTM Limited in Kells closed a number of years ago with 270 jobs lost. Navan Carpets closed in 2003 with the loss of more than 200 jobs, while 50 jobs were lost at Crannac Furniture in Navan. Trimproof Limited, another manufacturing company, relocated its operations from Trim a few years ago.

County Meath has taken a number of hits and the IDA should make it a priority. Recently I obtained information on the number of IDA visits to the county. It has been the subject of half the visits of neighbouring counties, which is dismal. Political will needs to be devoted to the county so that it has a fair opportunity to develop the local economy. Meath's population has increased by one third over the past few years to 160,000 and will soon reach 200,000, but no new jobs have been created during the Celtic tiger era. More than 20,000 people commute to work in Dublin every day.

What notification had the Minister of State's Department or the State agencies such as the IDA of NEC's intention to pull out? Did discussions take place? What efforts were made to persuade the company to remain? The company requested meetings. Were its representatives seeking anything in particular? Was there an opportunity to save the jobs? Was an effort made to save jobs in the research and development section or to divert a number of jobs elsewhere?

What does the Minister intend to do to find suitable employment for the 350 employees who will lose their jobs next September? What will he do to retain jobs in the area, attract new business or provide replacement jobs? What courses are being offered to the employees? What opportunities will they have to upskill? They have been specifically trained to work in NEC and they do not want to have to spend hours commuting to jobs in Dublin. Congestion costs Dublin €650 million a year and additional commuters from County Meath are not needed to add to that. What efforts have been made by the Department to retain the NEC factory so that it will be easy to attract a replacement employer or to use as it an enterprise centre for smaller companies to start up in incubator units? It is essential that the building should be retained. NEC and Ballivor have been good for each other over the years. I ask that the company should be asked to give a little extra back to the community. It has always done its bit for local clubs but we need it to go a step further.

Will the Minister of State re-examine the national spatial strategy, which we were informed in 2003 would direct investment and infrastructure and so on? Meath was practically left out of the strategy. No hubs or gateways were selected in the county, yet it should play a vital role in linking Dublin with hubs such as Dundalk, Monaghan and Cavan. A minor reference is made to Meath in the context of the greater Dublin region but that is no good.

The rate base in the county is suffering badly because of a lack of jobs. NEC was the second largest employer in the county after Tara Mines. The local authority cannot afford to lose companies such as this and the finance it derives from them. The council does not have the money to service the increased population in County Meath. A recent report highlighted that the Government has also neglected the county in the area of local authority funding. The council receives 70% of the national average, yet Meath people pay 110% of the national average in tax.

The county is getting a raw deal. Thousands of IDA jobs have been lost over the past ten years and Meath needs a break. The Department should set up a task force in the county. Significant numbers of people are moving into the county but investment in jobs has not increased. The unfortunate people of Ballivor are an example of that. They will have to travel outside the county to seek employment. A political effort must be made to secure replacement jobs. We have a well educated workforce and it is only fair that the county should be given a fair opportunity to develop. As our local Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey said, Meath is suffering from an infrastructural deficit but he has been in office for almost ten years. I question how he could go on local radio last week and state he did not know of the problems relating to job creation in County Meath and the first he heard about it was from council staff. I have been blue in the face saying it in the House.

The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and our new Minister for trees surely know the problems we have in County Meath regarding jobs. It is not good enough for him to say he was not aware of the problems. We have been neglected. While the Minister of State may not be able to save this company, more jobs must be provided. The employees affected must be given an opportunity to upskill. Action and political will are needed.

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