Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Clune for raising this pertinent matter of concern to all of us on the Adjournment. I reiterate my deep regret at the job losses announced on Tuesday in Pfizer Global Manufacturing.

Pfizer's plan to cut its worldwide workforce by 6,000 in 14 sites over the next four years is aimed at integrating the Pfizer and Wyeth manufacturing and supply organisations, which have significant over-capacity following the Pfizer takeover of Wyeth late last year. I have asked the State agencies to do everything possible to provide training and re-employment services to the 275 workers losing their jobs in Newbridge, County Kildare, and to work with Pfizer to save the other 510 jobs at risk due to the planned future sale or closure of plants in Cork and Dublin.

Although the company plans to cut its global headcount by 6,000, Pfizer remains a major multinational employer in Ireland, with more than 4,200 workers in seven locations involved in the manufacture of high-end life science products for world markets. The loss of 275 jobs in Newbridge is not immediate. Between the end of this year and 2011, 135 jobs will be lost, with the remainder to be lost in 2013. Likewise, any impact on jobs at the facilities in Loughbeg and Shanbally in Cork, and in Dún Laoghaire in County Dublin, would occur in 2012 to 2014.

The IDA is confident that a buyer will be found for at least some of these facilities and the agency will work closely with Pfizer to achieve this end. In the recent past, the IDA and Pfizer have been successful with the sale of Pfizer's animal health plant in Sligo and its Loughbeg API plant, preserving jobs at both locations.

Pfizer is planning further capital investments and new positions in its biotechnology operations in Ireland. The Government will do all it can to support the company's growth plans. Although the 275 job losses in Newbridge are devastating for the workers in question, their families and communities, it should be acknowledged that the company is retaining a workforce of 770 in the plant.

I assure the Deputy that my priority is to ensure that the business environment is supportive of Irish enterprise and export growth and that we continue to attract high value foreign investment. By selling on international markets, we will create jobs and prosperity at home.

State supported indigenous companies currently employ 133,000 people. Enterprise Ireland's objective is to create a further 40,000 new jobs over the next five years. State supported foreign companies currently employ 124,000 people. The IDA's objective is to create a further 62,000 new jobs over the next five years. The IDA and Enterprise Ireland targets for job creation could lead to an additional 70,000 jobs elsewhere in the economy.

Our thoughts are with the workers affected by yesterday's announcement. I am acutely aware of the distress the job losses are causing to employees and their families. I assure everyone that the State agencies will give every support they can to Pfizer employees.

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