Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)

Apart from the creation of new jobs and development of new enterprises it is important to maintain existing jobs. There is a fear in the midlands and in the north of County Meath that many factories are beginning to lose two or three jobs. Where there were 15 or 20 employees in a company a small percentage, especially in the area of exports, are beginning to lose jobs. In sustaining jobs I ask that the agencies link in with those factors to prevent the loss of employment.

At a recent meeting with FÁS, I was told of a skilled workforce in a certain factory which has no particular qualification or certification but has been doing the same job for 20 or 30 years. It is trying to find a way to give them a certificate or to acknowledge their skills. I ask the Minister to encourage and fast-track that initiative if at all possible so that if certain jobs are lost the workforce leave with a certifiable skill that can help them get another job in the future and can also be used to help attract new industry when one sees a list of people with certain skills.

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