Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

SR Technics provides line maintenance for the Aer Lingus fleet at the Dublin base. This is a long-term contract awarded by Aer Lingus in 2008 following a competitive procurement process. The company has indicated that it hopes to assign this and other smaller operations to another operator, which offers the potential of saving up to 200 jobs. Pending the outcome of negotiations on this issue, the company could not give the Tánaiste a definitive figure on the actual number of jobs likely to be saved. However, SR Technics will continue the line maintenance operations for the present.

IDA Ireland has had an ongoing relationship with the company over many years and approved a significant training grant package for the company in 2006 to assist it in maximising efficiencies and improving competitiveness. IDA also had discussions with the company on its business plan and further opportunities to assist the company with additional financial incentives such as research and development support with the emphasis on innovation and process development.

The Tánaiste will also be meeting union representatives to hear their concerns and to consider any proposals which they might have, and any assistance which the State development agencies, under her auspices, might be able to provide. This is in addition to supporting the workers in finding new employment, including assistance to re-skill and retrain to enhance their future employment potential. Any involvement by the State agencies, IDA Ireland or Enterprise Ireland——

See this speech in context