Tom McEllistrim (Kerry North, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this very important issue for my constituency. I call on the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Mary Coughlan, to move quickly to ensure that jobs lost due to the closure of the Amann plant are replaced quickly and every opportunity for retraining and up-skilling is afforded to those affected so they may re-enter the workforce as soon as possible.

The closure of the German-owned Amann Industries in Tralee, the second largest manufacturing plant in north Kerry, which was announced last Friday, is a major blow to the region. An attempt to restructure to maintain jobs has proved unsuccessful and now a total of 340 jobs and millions of euro in revenue will be lost to the area. I call on the Minister to instruct the IDA to make Tralee its number one priority. I am making this case to the Department and I will be taking it up directly with the IDA. My first thoughts go to the employees and their families. I hope the company will put a generous redundancy package in place to see them through this difficult time. It is the least they deserve after all their loyal service and the hard work they have done for Amann over the years.

I have already spoken to the Minister of State on this issue and I am repeating my call for more support for Tralee town. I do not believe enough is being done to promote Tralee as an investment location and the IDA needs to take more responsibility for bringing jobs to Tralee. We need to be positive about all Tralee has to offer if we are to attract foreign investment. We need to be part of the marketing and PR effort to promote Tralee and help bring more jobs to the north Kerry and west Limerick areas.

The increase in the numbers on the live register across the north Kerry area is unwelcome and is an indication of the challenges that now face us, particularly with regard to manufacturing. These challenges must be faced and job losses must be minimised as far as possible. Our priority must be to create an environment that will allow those who have lost their jobs to return quickly to the workplace. Every opportunity for retraining and upskilling must be afforded to those affected so they may re-enter the workforce as soon as possible. Indeed, retraining and education should be offered immediately, even before the employees complete their employment with Amann.

We need to see results from the IDA's concentration on the linked hub locations of Killarney in south Kerry and Tralee in north Kerry. I recognise the need to mobilise initiatives and resources on a regional rather than a purely local basis. However, taking all these factors into account, it must be made clear that we are taking action to deal with the economic and employment challenges facing the people of Tralee and the north Kerry and west Limerick areas.

Before I conclude I will take the opportunity to congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, on his recent appointment.

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